Common Blood Pressure Drug Shows Promise Against Deadly Glioblastoma Brain Cancer
Philadelphia,PA – A widely used blood pressure medication,hydralazine,has demonstrated a surprising ability to disrupt the growth of glioblastoma,one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of brain cancer,according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania. The findings,published in Science advances,reveal a previously unknown mechanism of action for the drug that could pave the way for more effective and targeted treatments for both brain cancer and pregnancy-related hypertension.
Glioblastoma is notoriously difficult to treat, with limited therapeutic options and a grim prognosis for patients. Researchers discovered hydralazine interferes with a key metabolic pathway utilized by glioblastoma cells to defend themselves, effectively weakening their ability to survive and spread. This discovery not only offers a potential new avenue for glioblastoma treatment – requiring testing in clinical trials – but also explains why hydralazine has long been an effective treatment for preeclampsia, a risky high blood pressure condition during pregnancy.
“Understanding how hydralazine works at the molecular level offers a path toward safer, more selective treatments for pregnancy-related hypertension - potentially improving outcomes for patients who are at greatest risk,” says chemist Megan Matthews, from the University of Pennsylvania.
The research suggests that by understanding this mechanism, scientists can refine hydralazine or develop new drugs that specifically target this pathway, maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing side effects. as hydralazine is already widely available,this knowledge provides a notable head start in the development of new therapies.
“It’s rare that an old cardiovascular drug ends up teaching us something new about the brain,” Matthews notes, “but that’s exactly what we’re hoping to find more of – unusual links that could spell new solutions.” The findings could ultimately complement existing brain cancer treatments currently in development, offering a multi-pronged approach to combating this devastating disease.
