Repurposing Drugs in Oncology: Next Steps

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2017.06.007

Trends in Cancer

Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2017, Pages 543-546

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trecan.2017.06.007 Get rights and content

The repurposing of existing non-cancer drugs is a potential source of new treatment options for cancer patients with high unmet medical needs. While scientific research is progressing rapidly in the field of drug repurposing, the implementation of drug repurposing still faces important financial and regulatory hurdles that should be addressed to optimise clinical adoption.

Section snippets

Financial Incentives/Disincentives

Given the apparent benefits of repurposing drugs, it is incumbent on us to explore some of the obstacles to clinical adoption once efficacy has been established. The repurposing of generic drugs, in particular, faces a number of distinct financial disincentives, since clinical trials are required, requiring significant financial investment. In the case of de novo drug development, this funding is supplied by pharmaceutical companies seeking a return on investment (ROI) during the remaining

Clinical Adoption

Another emerging theme is the role of the drug authorisation process itself. In theory, physicians are able to prescribe drugs in an ‘off-label’ manner; that is, to prescribe existing approved drugs for new indications for which they are not approved. However, off-label prescribing, though widely used in some areas of medicine such as paediatrics, is a controversial practice [12]. For example, many physicians are reluctant to prescribe off label due to potential legal liability issues,

Concluding Remarks

The ultimate goal of drug repurposing in oncology is to facilitate patient access to new treatment options (Figure 2). It is clear that innovative financial/regulatory solutions are needed to address the obstacles outlined here. While the scientific and clinical work proving the efficacy of individual repurposed drugs is in progress, it is time to address the social and political frameworks that govern drug approval and adoption. In the long term, sustainable solutions should be sought, such as

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Trends in Cancer

Science & SocietyRepurposing Drugs in Oncology: Next Steps

Section snippets

Financial Incentives/Disincentives

Clinical Adoption

Concluding Remarks

Eur. J. Cancer

Contemp. Clin. Trials

Drug Discov. Today

Drug Discov. Today. Ther. Strateg

The Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO) Project

Ecancermedicalscience

CUSP9* treatment protocol for recurrent glioblastoma: aprepitant, artesunate, auranofin, captopril, celecoxib, disulfiram, itraconazole, ritonavir, sertraline augmenting continuous low dose temozolomide

Oncotarget

Histamine type 2 receptor antagonists as adjuvant treatment for resected colorectal cancer

Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.

Science & Society
Repurposing Drugs in Oncology: Next Steps