Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, have made a groundbreaking discovery. Their study reveals that Selegiline, an antidepressant drug, may be effectively repurposed to treat breast cancer. This finding offers a potentially cost-effective alternative to developing new anticancer drugs, leveraging drug repurposing strategies to overcome the expensive and lengthy drug development process.
Study Leadership and Methodology
- Research Team: Led by Dr. Asis Bala
- Drug Studied: Selegiline, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor primarily used for depression
- Research Approach: Integrated network pharmacological studies
Key Discoveries
- Anticancer Properties: Selegiline demonstrates significant anticancer effects, particularly against breast cancer.
- Gene Interaction: The drug interacts with ten genes associated with various cancers.
- Effectiveness on Cell Lines: Tested on six different cancer cell lines, Selegiline was effective against both estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+) breast cancer cells and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.
Mechanism of Action
- Cell Death Induction: Selegiline induces cell death in breast cancer cells through a mechanism independent of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Protein Kinase C Inhibition: The drug inhibits protein kinase C phosphorylation, which is linked to the survival of breast cancer cells. This suggests that this pathway plays a role in Selegiline’s anticancer effects.
Significance and Future Directions
- Publication: The study is published in the journal Medical Oncology and is the first of its kind.
- Implications: The findings could lead to further research on the drug’s in vivo efficacy, dose optimization, potential contraindications, and possible adverse effects.
- Future Research: Continued investigation into Selegiline’s potential as a breast cancer therapeutic is warranted.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Which institution conducted the study on Selegiline’s potential for treating breast cancer?
- A) Indian Institute of Science
- B) Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST)
- C) National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research
- D) All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- What type of drug is Selegiline typically used for before this study?
- A) Pain relief
- B) Antidepressant
- C) Antibiotic
- D) Antihypertensive
- Which types of breast cancer cells did Selegiline prove effective against in the study?
- A) Estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+)
- B) Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- C) Both ER+ & PR+ and TNBC
- D) None of the above
- Through which mechanism does Selegiline induce cell death in breast cancer cells?
- A) Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation
- B) Protein kinase C phosphorylation
- C) Independent of ROS
- D) DNA replication inhibition
- In which journal was the study on Selegiline published?
- A) Journal of Clinical Oncology
- B) Medical Oncology
- C) Cancer Research
- D) European Journal of Cancer