title: Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO)-Propranolol as an anti-cancer agent.
abstract: Propranolol (PRO) is a well-known and widely used non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (beta-blocker), with a range of actions which are of interest in an oncological context. PRO displays effects on cellular proliferation and invasion, on the immune system, on the angiogenic cascade, and on tumour cell sensitivity to existing treatments. Both pre-clinical and clinical evidence of these effects, in multiple cancer types, is assessed and summarised and relevant mechanisms of action outlined. In particular there is evidence that PRO is effective at multiple points in the metastatic cascade, particularly in the context of the post-surgical wound response. Based on this evidence the case is made for further clinical investigation of the anticancer effects of PRO, particularly in combination with other agents. A number of trials are on-going, in different treatment settings for various cancers.
authors.affiliation: Anticancer Fund, Brussels, 1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium; The George Pantziarka TP53 Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Pan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pantziarka
authors.affiliation: Anticancer Fund, Brussels, 1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gauthier
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bouche
authors.affiliation: GlobalCures, Inc, Newton MA 02459, USA.
authors.forename: Vidula
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sukhatme
authors.affiliation: Anticancer Fund, Brussels, 1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lydie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meheus
authors.affiliation: Anticancer Fund, Brussels, 1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium; Oncology Research Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rooman
authors.affiliation: GlobalCures, Inc, Newton MA 02459, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Vikas P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Sukhatme
keywords: Propranolol; ReDO project; beta-blockers; drug repurposing