Innovative Approach to Combatting Brain Cancer
Antidepressant Reveals Potential as a Therapeutic Agent
A drug typically prescribed for major depression, vortioxetine, which is already approved by the FDA, appears to harbor the ability to transform into a crucial treatment option for glioblastoma, one of the most lethal varieties of brain cancer. Studies conducted before clinical developments have indicated that vortioxetine effectively hinders the expansion of glioblastoma cells within both lab-cultured human tissues and rodent subjects.
Treating glioblastoma has persistently challenged medical professionals, reflected by a grim five-year survival statistic near 5 percent.
Existing methods of treatment involve a multi-modal approach with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and at times, surgical intervention. However, vortioxetine presents unique merits, as per neurologist Michael Weller from University Hospital Zurich: “Its proven safety profile and cost-effectiveness are compelling. It could expedite the incorporation into standard therapeutic regimens for this aggressive brain malignancy without the necessity of complex approval processes.”
Insights from Detailed Preclinical Research
In a study orchestrated by Sohyon Lee and Berend Snijder at ETH Zurich, a group of 132 pharmaceuticals was screened for their effects on glioblastoma cells derived from 27 patients. The screening identified certain antidepressants as capable of impeding the growth of the cancerous cells. Among these, vortioxetine was particularly notable due to its impact on the molecular pathways involved in the control of cellular proliferation.
Additional experiments were conducted on mice that had been implanted with glioblastoma cells. The cohort receiving vortioxetine therapy exhibited a notable reduction in tumor size and extent after 38 days, especially when compared to a control set and another set treated with a different SSRI, citalopram. Moreover, in a follow-up study, mice treated exclusively with vortioxetine demonstrated improved survival rates over those that received only standard chemotherapy treatments.
“Further clinical testing is absolutely essential,” warns Weller, advocating against unauthorized use of the medication by patients. “The efficacy of this medication in human subjects and the necessary doses for treating tumors are still unknown,” he highlights.
These findings inject a measure of optimism into the dire circumstances surrounding glioblastoma, an affliction that impacts roughly 250,000 individuals each year. “We commenced our investigation focused on this formidable tumor and identified existing drugs that can counteract it,” comments Snijder, a molecular biologist. “We elucidate the mechanisms driving their efficacy, setting the stage to transition into patient-focused trials shortly.” These encouraging discoveries are making their way toward clinical trials in humans to ensure the validation of these initial results. The research has been documented in the scientific journal Nature Medicine.
The ongoing study marks a substantial breakthrough in the quest to discover more potent therapies for glioblastoma, emphasizing the repurposing potential of vortioxetine—an established medication with a comprehensive safety record—to tackle this aggressive form of brain cancer.
