Posted inTechnology News
A Repurposed Antidepressant Shows Promise as a Treatment for Breast Cancer
Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, have made a significant breakthrough by discovering that Selegiline, an antidepressant, may be effectively repurposed to treat breast cancer. The study, led by Dr. Asis Bala, highlights Selegiline's anticancer properties, particularly against both estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+) breast cancer cells and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. This discovery could offer a cost-effective alternative to developing new drugs, leveraging the existing drug repurposing strategy. The research, published in Medical Oncology, reveals that Selegiline induces cancer cell death through a mechanism independent of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits protein kinase C phosphorylation. This groundbreaking study paves the way for further investigation into Selegiline's in vivo efficacy, dosage optimization, and potential side effects.