One of the medical breakthroughs of the XNUMXth century was the discovery of beta-blockers. They changed the treatment of heart disease, angina, strokes, high blood pressure and anxiety.
Now, a few days after the death of their Nobel-winning British creator, the miracle cures have the potential to expect unexpected clinical success – in the treatment of breast cancer.
Research presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona showed that treatment with beta-blockers can reduce the spread of cancer in breast cancer patients and improve their chances of survival.
The first studies of the effects of beta-blockers in breast cancer suggest that patients taking these drugs are better protected against the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body or its relapse at the original site.
Beta-blockers, taken by millions of people, block the effects of stress hormones in the body. The development of these drugs in the late 50s by the Scottish scientist Sir James Black is considered one of the breakthroughs of modern medicine. Black died on March 22 at the age of 85.
Dr Des Powe, who led the study, said that while this was a preliminary analysis involving a small number of patients, it was convincing enough to urgently conduct further clinical trials.
The study looked at data from 466 patients over ten years. Three groups were studied: people treated with beta-blockers for hypertension, treated for hypertension with other drugs, and those who did not have high blood pressure and did not take drugs for this reason. 43 out of 466 patients were already using beta-blockers, and significantly fewer metastases and local recurrences were observed in this group. Also, the risk of dying from breast cancer was 71 percent lower compared to other groups.
‘These results are encouraging – we’ve already shown that by using a widely used, safe and cheap drug we can take the next step towards targeted therapy for breast cancer,’ says Dr Powe.
Unexpected uses of drugs
Some of the most advanced drugs have started a new life in unexpected roles, confirming Sir James Black’s maxim: “The best basis for a new drug discovery is an old drug.”
Belong to them;
– Sildenafil (more commonly known as Viagra). Initially, it was supposed to be a cure for angina and arterial hypertension, but it turned out to be ineffective. The clear side effect of the patients tested turned out to be much more attractive – this is how the big hit, erection-enhancing drug Viagra appeared.
– Thalidomide. Developed as a pain reliever and sedative, it has been found to help combat morning sickness, and as a result, it has been taken by thousands of pregnant women. This had terrible consequences for unborn babies. Now, clinical trials are underway on its use in the treatment of various cancers, including small cell lung cancer, and it is also used in the treatment of erythema nodosum, inflammation of subcutaneous fat cells.
– Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Yentreve). Developed and used as an antidepressant for severe depression and generalized anxiety disorder, it has also been shown to be effective in treating stress urinary incontinence and reducing the pain associated with nerve damage in diabetes.
Lister himself
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