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Drug Repositioning in Oncology.
Marissa B Serafin1, Angelita Bottega1, Taciéli F da Rosa1
1Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-graduacão Em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; and.
Drug repositioning offers a promising, cost-effective alternative for cancer treatment. Overcoming financial and regulatory hurdles is crucial for its broader adoption in oncology drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Drug Discovery
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rising cancer incidence and treatment resistance necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Immunotherapy limitations drive the search for alternative cancer treatments.
- Drug repositioning provides a cost-effective and lower-risk approach to identifying new cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review relevant studies on drug repositioning in oncology.
- To highlight the potential and challenges of implementing drug repositioning strategies.
- To emphasize the need for financial and regulatory incentives to foster industry involvement.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 63 studies on drug repositioning in cancer.
- Identification of 52 non-anticancer drugs exhibiting anticancer activity.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and successful repositioning cases.
Main Results:
- 52 non-anticancer drugs demonstrated efficacy against various malignancies.
- Several drugs are in late-stage clinical trials (e.g., Add-Aspirin, CUSP9*).
- Established repositioned drugs include thalidomide, zoledronic acid, and methotrexate.
Conclusions:
- Drug repositioning is a viable and promising alternative for oncological disorders.
- Financial and governmental support, particularly for regulatory aspects, is essential.
- Incentives are needed to encourage pharmaceutical industry participation in drug repositioning initiatives.
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