Drug Repositioning for Refractory Benign Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Drug repositioning (DR) is the process of identifying novel therapeutic potentials for already-approved drugs and discovering new therapies for untreated diseases. DR can play an important role in optimizing the pre-clinical process of developing novel drugs by saving time and cost compared with the process of de novo drug discovery. Although the number of publications related to DR has rapidly increased, most therapeutic approaches were reported for malignant tumors. Surgical resection represents the definitive treatment for benign tumors of the central nervous system (BTCNS). However, treatment options remain limited for surgery-, chemotherapy- and radiation-refractory BTCNS, as well as malignant tumors. Meningioma, pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET), and schwannoma are the most common BTCNS. The treatment strategy using DR may be applied for refractory BTCNS, such as Grade 2 meningiomas, neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis, and PitNETs with cavernous sinus invasion. In the setting of BTCNS, stable disease can provide significant benefit to the patient. DR may provide a longer duration of survival without disease progression for patients with refractory BTCNS. This article reviews the utility of DR for refractory BTCNS.

Optimizing perampanel monotherapy for surgically resected brain tumors

“…Malignant tumors remain incurable even when combinations of various treatments are used, and although substantial basic research has been conducted ( 35 , 36 ), only a limited number of treatments have actually been put to practical use. Drug repositioning, which has been attracting attention in recent years, is a method of discovering new drug effects from existing drugs with proven safety and pharmacokinetics in humans ( 37 ). In addition, PER has been observed to inhibit glioma cell growth in vitro ( 38 ).…”