Effects of clofutriben, a selective HSD-1 inhibitor, on the efficacy and toxicity of prednisolone in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica: a single-blind controlled trial with sequential cohorts

Glucocorticoids effectively treat many diseases, but toxicity limits their utility. We aimed to learn whether, by reducing active intracellular glucocorticoid exposures, the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor clofutriben could selectively reduce glucocorticoid efficacy but reduce toxicity more strongly. Further trials to assess clofutriben’s potential to improve the benefit-risk profile of prednisolone are warranted.