Title:Drugs Repurposing in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Volume: 27
Issue: 42
Author(s): Manuel Torralba, Rossella Farra*, Marianna Maddaloni, Mario Grassi, Barbara Dapas and Gabriele Grassi
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste,Italy
Keywords:
Drug repurposing, ovarian cancer, amiodarone, ruxolitinib, statins, disulfiram, ormeloxifene.
Abstract:
Background: Ovary Carcinoma (OC) is the most lethal gynecological neoplasm
due to the late diagnoses and to the common development of resistance to platinum-based
chemotherapy. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, the
strategy of drug repurposing is becoming attractive. By this approach, the effectiveness of a
drug originally developed for another indication is tested in a different pathology. The advantage
is that data about pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity are already available. Thus, in
principle, it is possible to reduce research costs and to speed up drug usage/marketing.
Results: Here, some noticeable examples of repurposed drugs for OC, such as amiodarone,
ruxolitinib, statins, disulfiram, ormeloxifenem, and Quinacrine, are reported. Amiodarone, an
antiarrhythmic agent, has shown promising anti-OC activity, although the systemic toxicity
should not be neglected. The JAK inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, may be employed particularly in coadministration
with standard OC therapy as it synergistically interacts with platinum-based
drugs. Particularly interesting is the use of statin which represent one of the most commonly
administered drugs in aged population to treat hypercholesterolemia. Disulfiram, employed in
the treatment of chronic alcoholism, has shown anti-OC properties. Ormeloxifene, commonly
used for contraception, seems to be promising, especially due to the negligible side effects.
Finally, Quinacrine used as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug, is able to downregulate
OC cell growth and promote cell death.
Conclusion: Whereas further testing in patients are necessary to better clarify the therapeutic
potential of repurposed drugs for OC, it is believed that their use, better if combined with OC
targeted delivery systems, can significantly contribute to the development of novel and effective
anti-OC treatments.
