The long-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with several deleterious effects. Attempts to separate the beneficial from the adverse effects of these compounds have met with varying degrees of difficulty. The discovery of distinct modes of action of the glucocorticoid receptor, the protein that mediates glucocorticoid action has opened up many possiblilities for improving glucocorticoid therapy. This book provides an in-depth overview of the molecular actions of the glucocorticoid receptor and discusses the chances of an imminent identification of selective glucocorticoid agonists. Such componds should fulfill all the criteria of a glucocorticoid but should lack the sideeffects so far linked with classical glucocorticoids.