Lifyorli (relacorilant) is a new medicine used to treat certain types of cancer. The FDA approved Lifyorli in March 2026 to be used in combination with a particular chemotherapy medicine (paclitaxel) for certain people with cancer. Lifyorli is not a type of chemotherapy, but using it with chemotherapy seems to work better than chemotherapy alone for certain cancers.
This article covers how Lifyorli works for certain cancers, how it was studied, and other important information. You may also be interested in learning more about Lifyorli side effects and Lifyorli interactions.
How Does Lifyorli Work to Treat Cancer?
Lifyorli does not treat cancer directly. Instead, it works by temporarily blocking receptors in your body called the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). GRs are normally activated by cortisol, which is the body’s main stress hormone.
When cortisol attaches to this receptor, it can make your immune system less active by lowering the levels of certain immune proteins that help your body respond to threats. These proteins include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interferon gamma.
By blocking cortisol’s effects, Lifyorli seems to prevent this decline in key immune proteins. This may help keep the immune system more active, improving the body’s ability to fight cancer.
In studies, Lifyorli improved how well the chemotherapy medicine paclitaxel worked against certain types of cancer compared to chemotherapy alone.
How Was Lifyorli Studied for Cancer?
A clinical trial called ROSELLA tested how well Lifyorli plus paclitaxel worked to treat ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer that had been treated with one to three other platinum-based treatments, and one of these treatments had to include bevacizumab. People who took long-term corticosteroids or who needed to use them frequently were not included in the study. Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, are medicines used for certain inflammatory conditions.
In the study, people were randomly assigned to use Lifyorli plus paclitaxel or paclitaxel alone. Both the study investigators and participants knew which group they were in. Treatment was continued until the cancer worsened or the side effects became too severe to be tolerated.
At the start of the study:
- Participants ranged in age from 26 to 86, and the average age was 62 years.
- About 71% of participants were White, 13% were Asian, 1.3% were Black or African American, and 13% did not report their race.
- About 9% of participants identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
- About 9% of participants had one previous treatment, 48% had two previous treatments, and 44% had three previous treatments for their cancer. All participants had used a treatment that included bevacizumab.
The main goal of the study was to measure progression-free survival (PFS) — the length of time participants lived without their cancer getting worse — as well as overall survival (OS).
What Did the Studies Find?
People who took Lifyorli while being treated with paclitaxel lived about one month longer before their cancer got worse and about four months longer overall than people who were treated with paclitaxel alone. The table below shows the specifics from the ROSELLA study.
Lifyorli Plus Paclitaxel (188 participants) | Paclitaxel (193 participants) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Length of Progression-Free Survival | 6.5 months | 5.5 months |
| Average Length of Overall Survival | 16 months | 11.9 months |
Keep in mind that your results may differ from what was seen in this study.
Is Lifyorli Right for Me?
Lifyorli is typically only recommended if your cancer does not respond to platinum-based chemotherapy and you have already tried at least one to three other treatments. One of these treatments must have included bevacizumab. A health care provider can help you decide if Lifyorli is right for you based on your cancer, treatments you have already tried, medicines you take, and your medical history. The FDA approved Lifyorli to be used with paclitaxel to treat the following cancers.
You should not take Lifyorli if you use a corticosteroid medicine, either by mouth or by injection, for a condition that could be life-threatening. A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions. Corticosteroids work by acting on glucocorticoid receptors. Since Lifyorli blocks these receptors, it could keep the corticosteroid from working, which could worsen your life-threatening condition. If you are not sure whether you use a corticosteroid or why you use it, talk to your health care provider.
Also, Lifyorli should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. This is because your blood levels of Lifyorli could get too high and increase your risk of side effects. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough for you to take it.
What Should I Know About Lifyorli and Pregnancy?
Based on animal studies, it is thought that Lifyorli may cause harm to a fetus. So if you are able to get pregnant, your health care provider will likely have you take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Lifyorli. If you get pregnant or think you may be pregnant while taking Lifyorli, tell your health care provider right away.
If you can get pregnant or get your partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control while you are taking Lifyorli and for one week after your last dose. This helps prevent pregnancy until after the medicine is out of your system.
How Do I Take Lifyorli?
Lifyorli comes in a blister pack, which means each capsule is sealed in its own little pocket. You should only remove it from the pocket when it is time for you to take it. Blister packs are often used to help protect the medicine from moisture.
If your dose is 150 milligrams (mg), which is the usual dose, this will mean you take one 100-mg capsule and two 25-mg capsules. If you have certain side effects while you are taking Lifyorli, your health care provider may lower your dose to 125 mg. This means you take one 100-mg capsule and one 25-mg capsule. You should never change your dose without your health care provider telling you to do so.
You should always take Lifyorli with food. This helps ensure that your body gets the right amount of medicine for it to work. Each capsule should be swallowed whole — do not crush, chew, dissolve, or open it.
You will likely not take Lifyorli every day. It is usually taken the day before, the day of, and the day after each dose of paclitaxel.
Note that these instructions are based on the typical dosing guidance for Lifyorli. Always follow the instructions from your health care provider. Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if you have any questions about how to take Lifyorli.
How Can I Get Lifyorli?
Lifyorli requires a prescription from a health care provider. Your hospital or health care provider’s office may have a pharmacy on-site where you can get Lifyorli. If not, you will likely get Lifyorli from a specialty pharmacy that will mail it directly to your home.
Is There Any Cost Assistance Available?
Financial assistance may be available through the drugmaker, Corcept Therapeutics. This can include savings programs or coupons that may help lower your cost if you qualify. You can visit this website or call 85-LIFYORLI (855-439-6754) for more information about possible savings options.
