[Repurposing of betablockers in dermatology]

Betablockers are used for decades in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the repurposing of the wide spectrum betablocker propranolol revolutionized the infantile hemangioma management. Besides, betablockers have been shown to significantly improve the prognosis of melanoma patients. Blocking the adrenergic receptors blocks the stress-induced tumorigenic pathways. Propranolol inhibits melanoma by downregulating the tumor angiogenesis but also tumor cell proliferation, invasiveness and local immune suppression. These antitumor effects have been observed in other cancers. The repurposing of propranolol has already changed the practice of pediatricians and dermatologists and may soon help oncologists treat various cancers.