Study: Existing heart drug may treat cancer

Health

Published: 2019-10-22 17:05

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 21:04


Study: Existing heart drug may treat cancer
Study: Existing heart drug may treat cancer

A drug used widely to treat cardiovascular disease could help treat cancer, a recent study made in the United Kingdom revealed.

The study paper was conducted by researchers from the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences and appeared in the journal "Nature Metabolism."

The drug known as ouabain, a compound that forms part of the same class of drugs as digoxin, is used to treat heart conditions, including cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.

The paper indicated that ouabain can selectively kill different types of aging cells, including those that have become senescent because of cancer, or due to exposure to radiotherapy or chemotherapy.