Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Drug Repurposing
Drug Repurposing
Drug repurposing involves identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient pathway to enhance treatment options and address unmet medical needs.
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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women worldwide. Known for its "silent" progression, this disease often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making early diagnosis crucial for improving survival outcomes. With a variety of subtypes, ovarian cancer presents unique challenges in both treatment and prevention. Recent advancements in research are shining a light on the importance of the microbiome, particularly how microbial imbalances in the gut and vaginal microbiota can influence cancer progression. Repurposed drugs such as metformin and innovative interventions like probiotics, microbiota transplantation, and intratumoral microbiota therapies offer promising new avenues for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This comprehensive review addresses the growing interest in repurposing approved non-oncological drugs for cancer therapy. The study examines various classes of drugs, including antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and anti-inflammatory agents, that have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects of these drugs when used in cancer treatment. It highlights the potential of these repurposed drugs to overcome challenges such as the high cost and lengthy development process associated with new anti-cancer therapies.
Who was studied?
The review primarily discusses preclinical studies and in vitro experiments using cancer cell lines, along with some clinical trials that focus on repurposed drugs. The studies investigate the effects of these drugs on various types of cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancer. The cancer cell lines tested include those from different cancer subtypes, allowing for a broad understanding of how these drugs could be applied to treat multiple forms of cancer. The article also references case studies involving patients treated with repurposed drugs, providing insights into their clinical relevance and potential for broader use in cancer therapy.
Most important findings
The review identifies several repurposed drugs with promising anti-cancer effects. For example, statins, commonly used for cholesterol management, have shown effectiveness in inhibiting tumor growth and enhancing chemotherapy in various cancers. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, has demonstrated anti-tumor effects by reducing cancer cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Chloroquine, initially used for malaria, has been highlighted for its ability to suppress autophagy and reduce tumor progression in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Other drugs such as flubendazole, mebendazole, and ritonavir also showed significant anticancer potential, acting through different mechanisms like apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of metastasis. These drugs were found to target key cancer-related pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, AKT/mTOR, and NF-kB signaling, which are crucial for cancer cell survival and progression.
Key implications
The primary implication of this research is that drug repurposing provides an efficient and cost-effective approach to cancer treatment. By utilizing drugs that are already FDA-approved for other diseases, the time and cost associated with developing new cancer therapies can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the repurposing of drugs with established safety profiles can expedite their transition into clinical practice, offering new therapeutic options for cancer patients, especially in low-resource settings. The findings suggest that combining repurposed drugs with conventional chemotherapy may help overcome drug resistance, a common challenge in cancer treatment. The review emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to validate these preclinical findings and optimize the use of these drugs in cancer therapy.