A new study has found that a common antifungal medication, Terbinafin, may be effective in treating aggressive prostate cancer. Researchers at the University Hospital of Würzburg discovered that a specific enzyme, SQLE, is overproduced in prostate cancer cells, leading them to search for a drug that could inhibit its production. They found that Terbinafin, which is commonly used to treat fungal infections, was able to inhibit the production of SQLE in cancer cells, leading to a reduction in tumor growth. The drug was tested on mice with human cancer cells implanted, and the results showed a significant reduction in PSA levels and tumor size.
The researchers then conducted a clinical trial on four human patients with advanced prostate cancer, three of whom were given a high dose of Terbinafin for two weeks, while the fourth received a lower dose due to liver damage. The treatment was successful in reducing PSA levels in the three patients who received the higher dose, while the fourth patient’s levels remained stable. The researchers believe that this study shows the potential for repurposing existing drugs for new uses, as Terbinafin’s safety profile is already well-known.
This study offers hope for those with aggressive prostate cancer, which often becomes resistant to treatment and can lead to metastasis. The researchers plan to conduct further studies with a larger group of patients to explore the potential of Terbinafin as a new therapy for advanced prostate cancer. This discovery could lead to a new approach to treating this deadly disease, offering hope to those who have exhausted other treatment options.
