FDA-Approved Oncology Drugs, Letrozole and Irinotecan, Demonstrate Reversal of Alzheimer's and Restoration of Memory
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
In an astonishing scientific discovery, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the Gladstone Institutes have identified a potential new approach to treating Alzheimer's disease using two oncology drugs already approved by the FDA. This research offers new hope for a disease that currently has no cure and affects more than 55 million people worldwide.
The drugs in question are Letrozole and Irinotecan. Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, while Irinotecan is prescribed for colon and lung cancer. What is most notable is that, while they are already known in the medical field, their potential to address brain damage related to Alzheimer's had not been explored until now.
The key to their efficacy lies in their combination, as each drug appears to target different types of brain cells. Letrozole helps neurons, the cells responsible for transmitting information, while Irinotecan acts on glial cells, which support neurons. This dual-target approach is crucial for a disease as complex as Alzheimer's.
One of the main markers of Alzheimer's is the accumulation of tau proteins, which form tangles inside the brain and disrupt normal cell function, contributing to cognitive decline. The combination of Letrozole and Irinotecan has been shown to reduce these tau protein tangles in the brains of mouse models.
Beyond the elimination of tau tangles, the mice treated with these drugs also showed significant improvements in learning and memory tasks, functions that are often severely affected in patients with Alzheimer's. In fact, mice that had already developed severe symptoms saw their memory restored. This suggests that the drugs not only reduce the physical markers of the disease but could also restore some of the lost cognitive abilities, including short-term and long-term spatial memory, pointing towards a potential reversal of Alzheimer's.
Although the results in mice are very promising, the real test is whether these drugs can have the same effect in humans. Since they are already approved by the FDA for other uses, the path to clinical trials for Alzheimer's could be faster than the development of entirely new medications. However, it is essential to evaluate their potential side effects in this new context, as Letrozole can cause hot flashes and Irinotecan can lead to severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Researchers emphasize the need to balance the potential benefits with these significant adverse effects.
This research, published in the journal Cell, marks an exciting step forward in the search for new ways to treat Alzheimer's and highlights the possibility of repurposing existing medications for other complex diseases. In the coming years, more research and clinical trials will be conducted to determine if Letrozole and Irinotecan can fulfill their potential, offering a much-needed therapeutic strategy for millions of people affected by this debilitating condition.
🔖 Sources
