Selegiline, an antidepressant belonging to the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor class, shows promise as a cost-effective treatment option for breast cancer. Developing new anticancer drugs is challenging due to high costs, lengthy development processes, and the necessity for extensive trials and regulatory approvals. However, drug repurposing has emerged as a popular approach in biomedical research for discovering new therapeutic uses for existing medications.
Dr. Asis Bala and his research team at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, have been exploring drug repurposing to create improved cancer treatments. Their research indicates that Selegiline could potentially be used as an anticancer agent, particularly for breast cancer.
Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Selegiline interacts with ten cancer-associated genes, impacting a wide network of cancer-related nodes. Preliminary tests showed that Selegiline effectively targets both estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+) breast cancer cells and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Notably, Selegiline induces cell death in ER+ & PR+ breast cancer cells through a mechanism independent of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, it appears to inhibit protein kinase C phosphorylation, which may play a role in its ability to kill cancer cells.
This groundbreaking study, published in "Medical Oncology," offers valuable insights for further exploration in cancer research. Future studies are needed to assess Selegiline's efficacy in vivo, optimize dosing, and evaluate potential contraindications and side effects.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)