TORONTO A new study suggests an anti-diarrhea medication could be effective in treating an aggressive and deadly type of brain cancer. A research group in at Goethe University Frankfurt found that the drug loperamide, sometimes sold under the brand name Imodium, can be used to induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines. Glioblastoma, or glioblastoma multiforme, is a fast-growing and invasive glioma, famous for being resistant to most treatments including chemotherapy. Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie and former NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar both died of the disease. Symptoms include headaches, decreased sensation, seizures, progressive memory decline, and personality deficit.
Anti-diarrhoea drug drives cancer cells to cell death – Aktuelles aus der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
E-Mail
The research group led by Dr Sjoerd van Wijk from the Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Paediatrics at Goethe University already two years ago found evidence indicating that the anti-diarrhoea drug loperamide could be used to induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines. They have now deciphered its mechanism of action and, in doing so, are opening new avenues for the development of novel treatment strategies.
When cells digest themselves
In certain types of tumour cells, administration of loperamide leads to a stress response in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the cell organelle responsible for key steps in protein synthesis in the body. The stress in the ER triggers its degradation, followed by self-destruction of the cells. This mechanism, known as autophagy-dependent cell death occurs when cells undergo hyperactivated autophagy. Normally, autophagy regulates normal metabolic processes and breaks down and recycles the valuable parts of damaged or superfluous
Anti-diarrhea drug triggers cell death in glioblastoma cells
In cell culture, loperamide, a drug commonly used against diarrhea, proves effective against glioblastoma cells. A research team at Goethe University has now unraveled the drug’s mechanisms of action of cell death induction and – in doing so – has shown how this compound could help attack brain tumors that otherwise are difficult to treat.
The research group led by Dr Sjoerd van Wijk from the Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Paediatrics at Goethe University already two years ago found evidence indicating that the anti-diarrhea drug loperamide could be used to induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines. They have now deciphered its mechanism of action and, in doing so, are opening new avenues for the development of novel treatment strategies.
Anti-diarrhea drug drives cancer cells to cell death medicalxpress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from medicalxpress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.