How Is Medication Repurposing Used in Oncology to Treat Cancer?

Drug repurposing in oncology involves finding new anticancer uses for medications that were originally developed for other conditions. Here’s an overview of its application in cancer treatment and the benefits it offers:

Application in Cancer Treatment:

Identifying Potential Drugs:

• Researchers use computational methods, experimental screening, and clinical observations to discover drugs with potential anticancer properties.
• Large datasets are analyzed with bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to predict which drugs might be effective against cancer.

Preclinical and Clinical Trials:

• Once a drug shows promise, it undergoes preclinical testing on cancer cells and animal models.
• If successful, clinical trials are conducted to evaluate the drug’s effectiveness and safety in cancer patients.

Combination Therapies:

• Repurposed drugs are often tested alongside standard cancer treatments to enhance effectiveness or reduce side effects.

Targeting Cancer Pathways:

• These drugs can target various aspects of cancer, including tumor cells, the surrounding environment, and multiple pathways at once.

Benefits of Drug Repurposing:

1. Cost-Effective:
   • Repurposing existing drugs is more affordable than developing new drugs from scratch.
2. Faster Development:
   • The process is quicker since the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs are already known.
3. Lower Risk:
   • Established safety profiles reduce the risk of failure in clinical trials.
4. More Treatment Options:
   • This approach can provide new options for patients with rare cancers or those who have exhausted other treatments.
5. Precision Medicine:
   • Drug repurposing expands the range of molecular targets available in precision oncology, allowing for more personalized treatments.
6. Overcoming Drug Resistance:
   • Repurposed drugs can help address drug resistance, especially when combined with traditional therapies.
7. Addressing Unmet Needs:
   • This strategy offers potential solutions for cancers with limited treatment options.
8. Comprehensive Treatment:
   • Some repurposed drugs can target multiple aspects of cancer biology, offering a more multifaceted approach to treatment.

Examples of Repurposed Drugs in Oncology:

• Metformin (diabetes medication)
• Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs)
• Aspirin (pain reliever and anti-inflammatory)
• Niclosamide (antiparasitic drug)
• Chloroquine (antimalarial drug)

While drug repurposing holds great potential in cancer treatment, challenges like regulatory hurdles, financial disincentives for pharmaceutical companies, and the need for rigorous clinical trials remain. Despite these obstacles, drug repurposing remains a promising strategy to expand cancer treatment options by leveraging the known safety of existing medications.

Interested in Repurposed Medication for Cancer Treatment?

Explore our repurposed medication program, available in 45 states, to see how these innovative treatments could benefit you. Contact us today to learn more and get started on a personalized treatment plan!