Trial watch: local anesthetics in cancer therapy

Killian Carnet Le Provost1,2, Oliver Kepp1,2, Guido Kroemer1,2,3

  • 1Equipe Labellisée Par La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.

Oncoimmunology
|March 20, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Local anesthetics show promising antitumor effects by directly killing cancer cells and boosting immunity. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm their anticancer potential in humans.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Preclinical studies suggest local anesthetics possess significant antitumor properties.
  • Mechanisms include direct cytotoxicity and immune-mediated effects, reducing cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.

Discussion:

  • While preclinical data is robust, prospective clinical trials are limited.
  • Methodological challenges in controlling confounding factors may explain the lack of definitive clinical confirmation.

Key Insights:

  • Local anesthetics demonstrate dual action: direct cancer cell killing and immune system modulation.
  • Evidence suggests a reduction in malignant cell proliferative, invasive, and migratory capabilities.

Outlook:

  • This review compiles preclinical and clinical research on local anesthetics' antitumor potential.
  • It includes completed and ongoing trials to assess their efficacy in cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
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Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
414
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
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Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
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Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:27

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
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Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
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