Anti-hypertension drug stops cancer progression
Researchers from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center have demonstrated that the drug propranolol (anaprilin), widely used for the treatment of heart diseases, is able to stop the progression of angiosarcoma, a malignant tumor of the inner lining of blood vessels.Angiosarcomas are highly lethal tumors that can develop in any part of the body. The tumor usually looks like an excrescence or ulcer on the skin, while the larger the focus, the higher the risk of death.
In 2014, the authors conducted therapy on a man with a fast-growing focus of angisarcoma that affected the left cheek, forehead and scalp.
The patient initially had very poor prognoses regarding standard treatments, and the researchers decided to conduct experimental therapy with propranolol, often used to treat high blood pressure.
A week after the start of therapy, the tumor stopped its rapid growth, and after a six-month course of propranolol, to which chemotherapy and radiotherapy were subsequently added, the tumor completely disappeared.
The results obtained are very promising not only for cancer treatment, but also for the finances of patients. Modern drugs for the treatment of sarcomas cost patients more than $ 10,000 per month, whereas a monthly course of propranolol costs about $ 4.
In addition, the authors are currently conducting a phase II clinical trial, which examines the ability of propranolol to slow the growth of breast tumors. In case of positive results, the study can be expanded and patients with more common tumors will be invited to participate in it.
Article by William Chow et al. Growth Attenuation of Cutaneous Angiosarcoma With Propranolol-Mediated β-Blockade is published in the journal JAMA Dermatology.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso:
Conventional Heart Drug Stops the Progression of Cancer.
Conventional Heart Drug Stops the Progression of Cancer.
05.11.2015