Potential Anti-cancer Drugs Commonly Used for Other Indications.

Potential Anti-cancer Drugs Commonly Used for Other Indications.
Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2014 Dec 29;
Authors: Hanušová V, Skálová L, Králová V, Matoušková P
Abstract
An increasing resistance of mammalian tumor cells to chemotherapy along with the severe side effects of commonly used cytostatics have raised the urgency in the search for new anti-cancer agents. Drugs approved for indications other than cancer treatment that have a newly recognized cytostatic effect on cancer cells represent promising anti-cancer agents, as these could be rapidly repurposed for this new indication, given their previous toxicity testing in humans and animals. Groups of newly recognized potential cytostatics discussed in this review include benzimidazole anthelmintics (albendazole, mebendazole, flubendazole), anti-hypertensive drugs (doxazosin, propranolol), psychopharmaceuticals (chlorpromazine, clomipramine) and antidiabetic drugs (metformin, pioglitazone). All these drugs have a certain potential to be used especially in combinations with other cytostatics, as the chemotherapy targeting of multiple sites now represents promising approach in cancer treatment. The present review summarizes recent information about the anti-cancer effects of selected drugs commonly used for other medical indications. Our aim is not to collect all the reported results, but to present an overview of various possibilities. Advantages, disadvantages and further per...

Source: Current Cancer Drug Targets - December 29, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Hanušová V, Skálová L, Králová V, Matoušková P Tags: Curr Cancer Drug Targets Source Type: research