In the same induction regimen, which drug is a corticosteroid?

• A. Vincristine
• B. Asparaginase
• C. Prednisone
• D. Daunorubicin

Answer: (C)

Corticosteroids are essential in ALL induction because they cause rapid lymphoblast death. Prednisone is a glucocorticoid used in the induction regimen; it binds intracellular receptors, modulates gene transcription, and promotes apoptosis of lymphoid blasts, helping to rapidly reduce tumor burden. The other drugs are not corticosteroids: vincristine disrupts microtubules and blocks mitosis, asparaginase depletes asparagine to starve leukemic cells, and daunorubicin intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II. Therefore, prednisone is the corticosteroid in this regimen.