A common blood pressure medication,hydralazine,is showing unexpected promise as a potential treatment for glioblastoma,one of teh most aggressive and tough-to-treat forms of brain cancer. New research details how the decades-old drug impacts cancer cell behaviour, perhaps offering a less-damaging therapeutic approach than conventional chemotherapy. The findings represent a significant step forward in drug repurposing – the practice of identifying new uses for existing medications – and highlight the potential for uncovering hidden benefits in established treatments [[1]]. The study, a collaboration between researchers at the University of Texas and the University of Florida, sheds light on the drug’s previously unknown mechanism of action.
A decades-old hypertension medication, hydralazine, has revealed a surprising potential in the fight against an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to new research. The findings, published recently, shed light on the drug’s previously unknown mechanism of action and open avenues for novel cancer therapies.
For years, hydralazine has been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, particularly in pregnant women experiencing hypertension and pre-eclampsia, sometimes proving life-saving. However, the precise way the drug worked remained a mystery – until now.
Researchers led by Kyosuke Shishikura and Megan Matthews discovered that hydralazine functions by blocking an enzyme called 2-aminoethanodiol oxidase (ADO). This enzyme acts as a critical “alarm system” within the body, triggering blood vessel constriction when oxygen levels drop. By inhibiting ADO, hydralazine effectively silences this signal.
Glioblastoma multiforme, the cancer under investigation, is known for its aggressive nature and resistance to treatment. A key characteristic of this malignancy is its ability to survive in areas with extremely low oxygen levels. Recent studies have suggested that ADO may play a role in helping cancer cells adapt to these harsh conditions.
Driven by this connection, scientists investigated whether blocking ADO with hydralazine could impede tumor growth. Collaborative research with teams from the University of Texas and the University of Florida yielded promising results. The study demonstrated that hydralazine effectively slows the proliferation of glioblastoma cells.
This approach differs significantly from traditional chemotherapy, which often focuses on destroying cancer cells and causing inflammation. Hydralazine, instead, appears to suppress cancer cell activity and growth, potentially reducing the rate of disease progression. The development offers a potentially less damaging approach to treating this deadly cancer.
The discovery that hydralazine targets a common molecular pathway relevant to both pregnancy-related hypertension and aggressive brain tumors represents a significant breakthrough, paving the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Future research will focus on designing new compounds specifically tailored to target ADO, potentially leading to more effective and targeted treatments for both conditions.
Researchers emphasize that this is a rare instance where an established cardiovascular drug has provided new insights into the biology of glioblastoma and simultaneously pointed towards potential new therapies. The findings highlight the unexpected benefits that can emerge from revisiting older medications.
Dominika Najda, dziennikarka Wirtualnej Polski
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