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This study shows that (at least in the mouse model used) using high doses of steroids reduces the effectiveness of the immunotherapy. We knew that already. This study confirms the magnitude of the effect and it is large. This brings me back to why we need the Promising Pathway Act. I keep talking about this but can't get the help we need to get it passed. In this case, there was a drug in trials many years ago called Xerecpt. It was to treat swelling from brain tumors, without the side effects of steroids. Early testing looked very good but it failed it's pivotal study. Only a few patients were able to come off steroids entirely, but all were able to greatly reduce the dosage of their steroids. At the time, it did not seem worth pursuing it as an alternative to steroids if it still required use of a small amount of steroids. But now with this current study, we see a great value in being able to reduce the dosage of steroids. It will make the immunotherapies work better. And it will greatly reduce the side effects of steroids. I hate to see pictures of little kids with brain tumor who get bloated from steroids - as well as problems sleeping, increased chance of infections, irritation to stomach, increase in blood sugar, muscle wasting and weakness, skin thinning, emotional problems and eye problems. As if they did not have enough problems with the tumor. Under the Promising Pathway Act, we could get drugs like this (both Xerecept and the immunotherapy mentioned) approved and try them in combination with immunotherapies and get better results and less side effects.