Swedish researchers are testing a 250-year-old drug on patients with one of the world's deadliest cancers.
A heart medication first prescribed in the 18th century is now being tested for its potential to treat pancreatic cancer – one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers. Researchers at the University of Skövde, in collaboration with Skaraborg Hospital, have launched a clinical study to investigate the effects of digitoxin, a well-known heart medication originally derived from the plant Digitalis purpurea.
“Digitoxin is a well-known and approved drug, which means that the development of new cancer treatments could become both faster and more cost-effective,” says Heléne Lindholm, a bioscience researcher at the University of Skövde. “We have seen promising results in the lab, so now we are taking the next step – we are testing it in a clinical study.”
New hope against a deadly cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. Fewer than five percent of patients survive for more than five years after diagnosis. Lab studies have shown that digitoxin disrupts the metabolism of cancer cells, affects calcium balance, and in some cases causes cells to stop dividing or die.
However, the response varies greatly among different types of pancreatic cancer cells.
“Pancreatic cancer is extremely heterogeneous – two patients can have the same diagnosis but completely different tumors,” explains Lindholm. “That’s why it’s so difficult to find a treatment that works for everyone. Our goal is to understand why some tumors respond better than others.”
To reflect these differences, the research team is using five different pancreatic cancer cell lines and comparing their responses to digitoxin. The aim is to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients are most likely to benefit, paving the way for more personalized treatment.
From the lab bench to the bedside
The clinical study is being conducted together with oncologist Johan Haux at Skaraborg Hospital, who was the first to suggest testing digitoxin against cancer.
In this first phase, the researchers want to determine the optimal dosage, ensure patient safety, and confirm that the biomarkers identified in the lab are also relevant for human patients.
If successful, digitoxin could become a new treatment option for patients for whom very limited alternatives are currently available.
https://doi.org/10.1054/mehy.1999.0985
