References

Aguilar Diaz JM, Abulfathi AA, Te Brake LH, van Ingen J, Kuipers S, Magis-Escurra C, Raaijmakers J, Svensson EM, Boeree MJ New and Repurposed Drugs for the Treatment of Active Tuberculosis: An Update for Clinicians. Respiration. 2023; 102:(2)83-100 https://doi.org/10.1159/000528274

Boulos JC, Chatterjee M, Shan L, Efferth T In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Investigations on Adapalene as Repurposed Third Generation Retinoid against Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia. Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15:(16) https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15164136

Elkouzi A, Vedam-Mai V, Eisinger RS, Okun MS Emerging therapies in Parkinson disease - repurposed drugs and new approaches. Nat Rev Neurol. 2019; 15:(4)204-223 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0155-7

Goenka L, Dubashi B, Selvarajan S, Ganesan P Use of “Repurposed” Drugs in the Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Oncol. 2022; 45:(4)168-174 https://doi.org/10.1097/COC.0000000000000900

Klas K, Strzebonska K, Waligora M Ethical challenges of clinical trials with a repurposed drug in outbreaks. Med Health Care Philos. 2023; 26:(2)233-241 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-023-10140-4

Meco D, Attinà G, Mastrangelo S, Navarra P, Ruggiero A Emerging Perspectives on the Antiparasitic Mebendazole as a Repurposed Drug for the Treatment of Brain Cancers. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24:(2) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021334

Mohi-Ud-Din R, Chawla A, Sharma P, Mir PA, Potoo FH, Reiner Ž, Reiner I, Atessahin DA, Sharifi-Rad J, Mir RH, Calina D Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects. Eur J Med Res. 2023; 28:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01275-4

NHS England. Repurposing medicines in the NHS in England. 2024. https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines-2/medicines-repurposing-programme (accessed 14 September 2024)

Repurposed drugs

02 October 2024
Volume 6 · Issue 10

Abstract

In this month's article, George Winter discusses the potential for repurposed drugs to change the therapeutic landscape

NHS England's Medicines Repurposing Programme ‘aims to: identify and develop opportunities to repurpose prioritised medicines to improve outcomes, patient experience and value for money; support and advance innovative research into medicines that might be repurposed and adopted into the NHS; [and] facilitate and encourage the licensing of repurposed medicines to support clinical decision making and improve equity of access’ (NHS England, 2024).

Drug repurposing, also known as drug repositioning, drug rescuing, drug reprofiling, drug recycling or therapeutic switching, ‘is regarded as the most effective strategy in developing drug candidates using novel pharmacological properties and therapeutic characteristics of well-known drugs’ (Mohi-ud-din et al, 2023).

In a wide-ranging review of non-oncology drugs that may provide therapeutic options for cancer treatment, Mohi-ud-din et al (2023) highlight the diversity of chemotherapeutic classes in which these drugs are found, and they include ‘antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, anti inflammatory drugs, and antifungals, and have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties.’

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Journal of Prescribing Practice and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for prescribing professionals. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month