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Antihypertensive Drug Could Be an Inexpensive Anticancer Agent
A new research study published in the Journal of Dermatology has found that propranolol, a commonly used antihypertensive agent, could substantially reduce proliferation of angiosarcoma.
A new research study published in the Journal of Dermatology has found that treating angiosarcoma with propranolol—a beta blocker most commonly used to treat hypertension, dysrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions—could substantially reduce proliferation of the cancer.
The authors, clinicians at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, treated a patient who presented with an enlarging lesion on his left cheek, forehead, and scalp, diagnosed as angiosarcoma, with propranolol hydrochloride. Within a week of propranolol monotherapy, tumor proliferation was found reduced by about 34%. When the patient was administered standard therapy of paclitaxel poliglumex, 2 mg/m2 infused weekly; radiotherapy during the subsequent 8 months; along with propranolol hydrochloride, 40 mg 3 times a day, the result was extensive tumor regression and the lack of metastases.
Calling their discovery a “major advancement in the treatment of angiosarcomas,” the authors point to the financial advantage that the drug presents. While current prescription treatments for sarcomas can cost over $10,000 per month, propranolol may cost about $4 per month.
The authors are now conducting a phase 2 study with propranolol in breast cancer patients.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
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Government agencies have created an online portal for the public to report potential anticompetitive practices in health care; there are changes coming to the “boxed warning” section for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR T) to highlight T-cell blood cancer risk; questions about the safety of obesity medications during pregnancy have arisen in women on them who previously struggled with fertility issues.
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Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Penn Medicine's Dr Justin Bekelman
December 19th 2023Justin Bekelman, MD, director of the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, sat with our hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, for our final episode of 2023 to discuss the importance of collaboration between academic medicine and community oncology and testing innovative cancer care delivery in these settings.
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Gene, Light Therapy Combo Shows Promise Against Prostate Cancer Cells in Proof-of-Concept Study
April 18th 2024In their preclinical model, the researchers found efficacy both in vitro and in vivo by using CRISPR-Cas9 to mimic porphyria and combining the technology with light therapy.
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Pegcetacoplan for PNH More Cost-Effective Than Anti-C5 Monoclonal Antibodies
April 18th 2024A cost-utility analysis conducted from the perspective of the Italian health system found that pegcetacoplan was more effective and less costly than 2 complement 5 (C5) inhibitors for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
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