All articles tagged with #drug repurposing
The UK has launched AD-SMART, a platform trial testing repurposed diabetes and ADHD drugs for Alzheimer's. This approach aims to cut years off the treatment discovery process by evaluating multiple candidates simultaneously.
A large-scale study published in Nature reveals that the common blood pressure medication losartan can activate brown adipose tissue (BAT), potentially boosting metabolism. By analyzing over 100,000 patient records, researchers found that individuals with active BAT have significantly lower risks of cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions. This suggests losartan could be repurposed to treat metabolic disorders, independent of its blood pressure effects.
Researchers used AI to analyze PET/CT scans from over 100,000 cancer patients, finding that active brown adipose tissue (BAT) is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular and psychiatric diseases. The study identified the blood pressure drug losartan as a potential activator of BAT through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism, independent of its blood pressure effects.
Yale researchers discovered that lacosamide, an FDA-approved epilepsy medication, can simultaneously reduce pain and repair cartilage in osteoarthritis when delivered via a specialized hydrogel. The study, published in Bioactive Materials, identifies the Nav1.7 protein as a dual target for both pain signaling and cartilage degradation. By using a temperature-sensitive collagen hydrogel to keep the drug localized in the joint, the treatment outperformed daily oral doses in preclinical tests, offering a potential path to disease modification rather than just symptom management.
Two recent studies identify distinct biological mechanisms for chronic nerve pain, offering potential new treatment avenues. Researchers at MD Anderson found that the cancer-linked protein BRAF travels to the spinal cord after nerve injury, activating NMDA receptors to sustain pain; existing cancer drugs like vemurafenib reduced pain sensitivity in preclinical models. Simultaneously, Washington University researchers identified a 'brake' in the brain's locus coeruleus, where mu opioid receptors normally suppress pain signals. Disrupting this brake increases pain sensitivity, suggesting that targeting this specific brain region could provide relief without the widespread side effects of traditional opioids. Both studies remain preclinical, highlighting the need for human trials to determine safety and efficacy.
Dave Asprey, the founder of the biohacking movement, has highlighted new research suggesting that oxymetazoline, the active ingredient in the over-the-counter nasal spray Afrin, could be repurposed for anti-aging therapies. While the drug is known for causing rebound congestion if used excessively, studies indicate it may improve cell-to-cell communication, a key factor in aging. Asprey argues that major longevity breakthroughs may come from existing medications rather than new molecules, though experts caution that human trials are still years away.
Researchers from Northeastern University and Harvard Medical School developed a framework that links aging-hallmark genes to the human interactome to spot drugs that could affect multiple aging processes, screening 6,442 meds. They pinpointed oxymetazoline (an OTC nasal spray) as a promising candidate that improves cell-to-cell communication, with aspirin also flagged; the study, published in Nature Aging, offers a roadmap for testing repurposed drugs for longevity but does not claim a life-extension cure.
Researchers from Northeastern University and Harvard Medical School developed a framework that links aging hallmarks to clusters in gene/protein networks to identify existing drugs that might slow aging. By mapping about 1,250 aging-related genes onto the human interactome, they pinpointed drugs—such as oxymetazoline and aspirin—that influence multiple aging pathways. While not a guaranteed cure, this approach provides a roadmap for testing candidates in cells, animals, and eventually humans to pursue healthier, longer lifespans.
Medicines often find new uses after their initial purpose; sildenafil, finasteride, and minoxidil were repurposed from heart, prostate, and blood-pressure indications to treat erectile dysfunction and hair loss, illustrating how serendipity and careful observation drive medical progress and highlighting the benefits and caveats of drug repurposing in men's health.
A decades‑old medication has shown in early studies the ability to reprogram white blood cells and improve blood sugar control in type 1 diabetes, signaling a potential new therapeutic avenue that will require larger clinical trials to confirm efficacy and safety.
US researchers used computational analysis to identify two FDA-approved cancer drugs, letrozole and irinotecan, that counteract Alzheimer’s-related gene-expression changes. In mouse models, when used together they reduced tau protein clumps and improved learning and memory, suggesting potential for repurposing and faster clinical testing, though safety in humans and side effects must be evaluated before any trials for Alzheimer's.
Emerging evidence suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists, drugs commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, may have beneficial effects across multiple cancer types, indicating potential for drug repurposing; further clinical research is needed to confirm efficacy, optimal dosing, and safety.
A new study suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists, drugs commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, may reduce the risk of cancer spread in certain cancers, a finding that could point to drug repurposing but requires further research to confirm which cancers might benefit and to establish clinical relevance.
A widely used asthma medication may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, potentially improving patient responses when used in combination, though further clinical validation is needed.
Co-Scientist is a Gemini-based multi-agent AI that autonomously generates and refines novel hypotheses, scales test-time compute, and shows in vitro advances in AML drug repurposing and combination therapies, signaling AI-augmented scientific discovery.