Decades-Old Blood Pressure Pill Shows Promise in Fighting Deadly Brain Cancer

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers have uncovered a potential new treatment for glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. The key lies in a common blood pressure medication called hydralazine, which has been used for over 70 years to manage high blood pressure.

According to the study, published in Science Advances, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found that hydralazine could be effective in fighting glioblastoma. This fast-growing brain tumor typically kills half of patients within 14 months of diagnosis, with only 5% surviving for five years.

The researchers discovered that hydralazine works by blocking an enzyme called ADO, which allows glioblastoma cells to thrive in the low-oxygen environments they create within the brain. By disrupting this mechanism, the drug causes the cancer cells to enter a dormant, non-dividing state, effectively pausing their growth.

This unexpected finding is particularly significant, as glioblastoma is notoriously difficult to treat. Current therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, only marginally prolong patients' lives. The potential of repurposing an existing medication to combat this deadly disease offers a glimmer of hope for the thousands affected by glioblastoma each year.

While the research is still in its early stages, the scientists are optimistic that further testing could lead to a new and urgently needed treatment option for this devastating form of brain cancer.