Glucocorticoids (GCs) are powerful drugs commonly used to treat conditions like asthma, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. While highly effective, long-term GC use can lead to serious side effects such as diabetes and osteoporosis. These side effects vary between individuals, partly due to genetic differences that are not yet fully understood. This project aims to uncover how genetics influence the body's response to GCs and the risk of side effects. Using data from the large Finnish FinnGen study, we will identify genetic differences linked to these side effects. We will then study how these genetic differences affect GC responses in specific tissues. Our findings could help identify patients at higher risk of side effects, enabling safer and more personalized treatments. In the long run, this research may guide the development of improved GC therapies that are both effective and gentler on the body.

2026

2030