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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
Drug repurposing as a potential source of innovative therapies in cervical cancer
Rica Capistrano I1, Sonz Paul2, Ingrid Boere3
1Anticancer Fund, Meise, Belgium rica.capistrano@anticancerfund.org.
Objective:
Drug repurposing is an alternative development pathway that utilizes the properties of drugs approved for other diseases and builds on available safety and pharmacological data to develop the drug as a potential treatment for other diseases. A literature-based approach was performed to identify drug repurposing opportunities in cervical cancer to inform future research and trials.
Methods:
We queried PubMed for each drug included in two databases (ReDO_DB and CDcervix_DB, which include 300+ non-cancer drugs and 200+ cancer drugs not used in cervical cancer, respectively) and manually assessed all abstracts for relevance and activity in cervix cancer, and type of evidence. Subsequently, we also performed a search of clinical trial databases where we generated a list of registered trials in cervical cancer with all drugs from our databases.
Results:
Of the 534 drugs from both databases, 174 (33%) had at least one relevant abstract or registered trial in cervical cancer. 94 (18%) drugs had at least human data available, and 52 (10%) drugs were evaluated in registered trials. To prioritize drugs to consider for future trials, all 174 drugs were further assessed for strength of scientific rationale, feasibility for integration in cervical cancer standard of care, evidence of radiosensitization, and potential mechanism of action. Out of the 174 drugs, 38 (22%) potential drug candidates were selected.
Conclusion:
This study resulted in a list of candidate drugs for potential evaluation in cervical cancer. Many drugs might warrant additional (pre)clinical investigation, which could be done in a coordinated manner using platform trials.
Insights
Drug repurposing offers a new avenue for cervical cancer treatment. This study identified 38 promising drug candidates from existing medications for further clinical trials in cervical cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Drug repurposing leverages existing approved drugs for new therapeutic indications.
- This strategy accelerates drug development by utilizing established safety and efficacy data.
- Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel treatment approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential drug repurposing candidates for cervical cancer treatment.
- To inform future research and clinical trials by evaluating existing non-cancer and cancer drugs.
- To assess the feasibility and scientific rationale for repurposing drugs in cervical cancer.
Main Methods:
- A literature-based approach was employed, querying PubMed and clinical trial databases.
- Drugs from ReDO_DB (non-cancer) and CDcervix_DB (cervical cancer) were systematically reviewed.
- Relevance, human data availability, clinical trial registration, scientific rationale, and radiosensitization potential were assessed.
Main Results:
- Out of 534 drugs, 174 showed relevance to cervical cancer.
- 94 drugs had human data, and 52 were evaluated in registered trials.
- 38 drug candidates were selected based on comprehensive evaluation for potential cervical cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
- This study generated a prioritized list of candidate drugs for cervical cancer.
- Additional preclinical and clinical investigations are warranted for these identified drugs.
- Platform trials offer a coordinated approach for evaluating repurposed drugs in cervical cancer.
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