Researchers have found that the common antidepressant vortioxetine can effectively kill glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer.1 This finding brings new hope to patients battling this aggressive disease, which has a grim 12-month survival rate and limited treatment options.
Researchers at ETH Zurich screened over a million compounds using advanced computer modeling and identified vortioxetine as the most promising candidate.
Could this old medication be the miracle brain cancer patients have been waiting for?
Antidepressant Targets Unique Vulnerability in Brain Tumors
What makes vortioxetine so effective against glioblastoma? The answer lies in its ability to exploit a key vulnerability shared by neurons and brain tumor cells.
Vortioxetine rapidly triggers a signaling cascade important for neuronal progenitor cells but also suppresses cell division. This unique mechanism allows the drug to selectively target and kill glioblastoma cells while sparing healthy brain tissue. (ref)
In contrast, current standard treatments like radiation and chemotherapy indiscriminately damage both cancerous and normal cells.
Impressive Results in Lab Studies & Animal Trials
The anti-tumor effects of vortioxetine have been consistently demonstrated across multiple preclinical studies:
- In lab experiments, vortioxetine significantly reduced the viability and clonogenic potential of glioblastoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.
- The drug also inhibited the migration of glioblastoma cells, suggesting it could help prevent the spread of these aggressive tumors.
- When tested in mice with human glioblastoma tumors, vortioxetine prolonged survival as a single agent and worked even better when combined with standard chemotherapies.
Researchers are eager to see if these remarkable results will translate to human patients. With vortioxetine’s established safety record as an antidepressant, clinical trials could begin soon, offering a glimmer of hope for those fighting this devastating disease.
Repurposing Drugs: An Innovative Approach to Brain Tumor Treatment
The discovery of vortioxetine’s anti-cancer properties highlights the immense potential of drug repurposing in brain tumor treatment.
By screening existing medications for unexpected uses, scientists can identify promising therapies much faster and at a fraction of the cost compared to developing entirely new drugs.
This approach has already yielded several exciting leads beyond vortioxetine. For example, the related antidepressant clomipramine has been linked to a 40-50% reduction in brain tumor development.
Other repurposed drugs may also enhance the effectiveness of vortioxetine and other targeted therapies.
As researchers continue to explore this innovative strategy, brain cancer patients may soon have access to a broader array of safe, affordable, and effective treatment options.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
