Combining repurposed drugs to treat colorectal cancer. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duarte, Diana; Vale, Nuno
• Is Part Of: Drug discovery today. Volume 27:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Drug combination -- Drug repurposing -- Colon cancer -- Chemotherapy; Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6446

Abstract

Highlights: Combination of repurposed drugs in colorectal cancer: has become increasingly costly and ineffective, resulting in few highly effective drugs reaching the market yearly. Drug repurposing and drug combination therapies can be alternatives to the de novo drug development, being low cost, rapid and easy-to-apply. These strategies can improve cancer therapy efficacy, reduce chemotherapy's toxicity, and overcome drug resistance. Combination of antineoplastic drugs is already being applied in cancer therapy, but the combination of repurposed drugs is still under-explored in pre- and clinical studies. Abstract: The drug development process, especially of antineoplastic agents, has become increasingly costly and ineffective. Drug repurposing and drug combination are alternatives to de novo drug development, being low cost, rapid, and easy to apply. These strategies allow higher efficacy, decreased toxicity, and overcoming of drug resistance. The combination of antineoplastic agents is already being applied in cancer therapy, but the combination of repurposed drugs is still under-explored in pre- and clinical development. In this review, we provide a set of pharmacological concepts focusing on drug repurposing for treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and that are relevant for the application of new drug combinations against this disease.