Repurposing Neuroactive Drugs in Oncology: A Mini-Review

Abstract

There are many effective treatments on the market in oncology, yet cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. This is largely due to cancer evolution and the development of drug resistance. One classification of difficult-to-treat cancers is neuroendocrine tumors, which show remarkable similarities with neuronal cells. Mechanisms of disease progression and biomarkers are even shared between neuroendocrine tumors and neurological disorders, providing a strong rationale for repurposing neuroactive compounds, used in the clinic to treat neurological disorders as therapeutics in oncology. Current lines of evidence already support the repurposing of multiple neuroactive drugs in many types of cancer, yet the advantages do not extend to all cancer types, with some neuroactive drugs even showing pro-tumor growth effects. The development of new cancer therapeutics through repurposing drugs that treat other indications holds immense significance for increasing the value of these drugs, along with providing crucial therapies to prolong survival in cancer patients. In the present mini review, we will highlight some of the recent advances in the field of drug repurposing in oncology particularly with respect to neuroactive drugs.