Studies in macrophages, endothelial, airway smooth muscle and cancer cells have shown that DEX-induced glucocorticoid receptor signalling increases the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1, resulting in decreased MAPK signalling in these cells and contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect (Wu et al, 2005; Abraham et al, 2006; Furst et al, 2007; Issa et al, 2007). This evidence concerns the gene NR3C1 and cancer.