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Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
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Repurposing itraconazole as an anticancer agent

Hiroshi Tsubamoto1,2, Tomoko Ueda1, Kayo Inoue1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.

Oncology Letters
|August 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Itraconazole, an antifungal drug, shows anticancer potential by overcoming chemotherapy resistance and inhibiting tumor growth. Drug repurposing itraconazole offers a cost-effective strategy for various cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Repurposing

Background:

  • Itraconazole is a widely used antifungal medication.
  • Emerging evidence suggests itraconazole possesses anticancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preclinical and clinical data on itraconazole's anticancer activity.
  • To explore the potential of repurposing itraconazole as an anticancer agent.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of preclinical studies.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data.
  • Focus on itraconazole's mechanisms of action in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Itraconazole reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated chemoresistance.
  • It modulates key cancer signaling pathways (Hedgehog, mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin).
  • It inhibits angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and cancer-stromal interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Itraconazole demonstrates significant anticancer potential, supported by clinical trials in prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma, and combination therapies for other cancers.
  • Drug repurposing of itraconazole is a promising, cost-effective strategy for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
HedgehogP-glycoproteinWnt/β-cateninanticancercancer-associated fibroblastsitraconazolemTORrepositioningrepurposing

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