Research Finds Common Antifungal Drug Decreases Tumor Growth and Shows Promise as Cancer Therapy

A molecule that would inhibit the action of yeast genes was being searched by Cha, a graduate student in cell and molecular biology at the university. She found that thiabendazole did the trick.

She then tested the drug in developing frog embryos. These are fast growing vertebrates in which scientists can watch blood vessel growth in living animals.

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Cha found that frog embryos grown in water with the drug either didn't grow blood vessels or grew blood vessels that were then dissolved away by the drug. Interestingly, when the drug was removed, the embryos' blood vessels grew back.

Cha then tested the drug on human blood vessel cells growing in Petri dishes, finding that the drug also inhibited their growth. Finally, she tested the drug on fibrosarcoma tumors in mice and found that it reduced blood vessel growth in the tumors as well as slowed the tumors' growth.

"We didn't set out to find a vascular disrupting agent, but that's where we ended up," said Wallingford, associate professor of developmental biology and Cha's graduate advisor with Marcotte. "This is an exciting example of the power of curiosity-driven research and the insights that can come from blending disciplines in biology."

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The scientists' goal is now to move the drug into clinical trials with humans. They are talking with clinical oncologists about next steps.

"We hope the clinical trials will be easier because it is already approved by the FDA for human use," said Marcotte.

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Source-Eurekalert

Mass Extinction of Amphibians Within Three Decades Through Deadly Fungus
Within three decades biologists have warned that the entire population of the world's frogs and other amphibians could be wiped out like the dinosaurs by a deadly fungus .