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Expert opinion on investigational drugs, 2013-08, Vol.22 (11), p.1359-1363
Erscheinungsjahr
2013
Link zum Volltext
Quelle
Taylor & Francis Journals Auto-Holdings Collection
Beschreibungen/Notizen
Beta-blockers are a class of drugs widely used to treat cardiac, respiratory and other ailments. They act by blocking beta-adrenergic receptor–mediated signalling. Studies in various cancers have shown that patients taking a beta-blocker have higher survival and lower recurrence and metastasis rates. This is supported by several preclinical and
in vitro
studies showing that adrenergic activation modulates apoptosis, promotes angiogenesis and other cancer hallmarks, and these effects can be abrogated by beta-blockers. These studies provide a rationale for the use of beta-blockers as adjuvants with cancer chemotherapy. However, all published studies so far are retrospective, and most do not take into account the specific beta-blocker used or address which is most likely to benefit cancer patients. The published epidemiological studies are correlative and have not examined the adrenergic receptor status of the tumours. Knowledge of the beta-adrenergic receptor status of tumour cells is essential in choosing the best beta-blocker for adjuvant therapy. A comprehensive, prospective study is necessary to prove definitively the utility of using beta-blockers with chemotherapy and to identify the specific betablocker most likely to benefit patients with cancer.