Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, is currently incurable, with a high mortality rate despite available treatments such as surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. The difficulty in finding drugs that can effectively target brain tumors is due to the blood-brain barrier that limits drug access to the brain. Neuro-oncologists have been searching for better drugs that can overcome this barrier and eliminate the tumor.
Researchers led by ETH Zurich Professor Berend Snijder discovered that an antidepressant called vortioxetine can effectively combat glioblastomas in laboratory settings. The drug, approved by agencies such as the FDA and Swissmedic, is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, making it a promising candidate for brain tumor treatment. The findings of this study were recently published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Using a screening platform called pharmacoscopy, developed at ETH Zurich, researchers simultaneously tested hundreds of active substances on living cells from human cancer tissue, focusing primarily on neuroactive substances that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Through imaging techniques and computer analysis, they identified vortioxetine as the most effective antidepressant against tumor cells, triggering important signaling cascades.
Further testing on mice with glioblastomas at the University Hospital Zurich showed promising results for vortioxetine, especially when combined with standard treatments. The research team is now preparing for two clinical trials, where glioblastoma patients will be treated with vortioxetine in addition to standard therapy or personalized drug selection determined using the pharmacoscopy platform.
Vortioxetine’s advantages include its safety profile, cost-effectiveness, and existing approval, making it a potential addition to standard glioblastoma treatments. However, researchers caution against self-medication with vortioxetine due to the need for clinical trials to determine its effectiveness and optimal dosage in humans. While the drug has shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, its efficacy in human patients is yet to be established.
Despite the need for further research and clinical trials, researchers are optimistic about the potential of vortioxetine to improve glioblastoma treatment, offering a glimmer of hope for patients facing this deadly brain tumor. The study’s success in finding an existing drug that can combat glioblastomas and understanding the mechanisms behind its effectiveness pave the way for future advancements in brain tumor therapy.