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Unintended Effects of GPCR-Targeted Drugs on the Cancer Phenotype

Abigail C Cornwell1, Michael E Feigin1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|November 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Commonly prescribed G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drugs, used for cancer symptom management, may unexpectedly influence cancer progression. Reevaluating these indirect effects is crucial for patient care and cancer research.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key therapeutic targets, with ~35% of FDA-approved drugs targeting them.
  • Cancer patients frequently use GPCR-targeted medications for symptom management (pain, nausea, anxiety).
  • GPCRs are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reevaluate the impact of commonly prescribed GPCR-targeted drugs within the context of cancer.
  • To investigate the dual role of these drugs in potentially promoting or inhibiting cancer.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding the indirect effects of these medications on the cancer phenotype.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data.
  • Analysis of experimental evidence.
  • Synthesis of recent research findings on GPCR-cancer interactions.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests widely used GPCR-targeted drugs can influence cancer progression.
  • The effects can be either inhibitory or promoting, depending on the specific drug and cancer context.
  • Significant indirect effects of these drugs on cancer phenotype are evident.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of GPCR-drug interactions in cancer is urgently needed.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate these complex relationships.
  • This knowledge is critical for optimizing cancer patient care and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
G protein-coupled receptorGPCRGPCR drugscancerdrug targets

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