Anti-filarial drug diethylcarbamazine in treatment of oral submucous fibrosis. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghone, Urmi; Sarode, Gargi; Sarode, Sachin C.; Sengupta, Namrata
• Is Part Of: Medical hypotheses. Volume 163(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Diethylcarbamazine -- Oral submucous fibrosis -- Drug repurposing -- Therapeutic intervention -- Fibrosis; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9877

Abstract

Abstract: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) has impacted over 5 million people worldwide and has had a significant role in mortality and morbidity due to its high malignant transformation rate. Because of the high prevalence of OSMF, there has been a rush to repurpose current medications. In the present paper, we discussed the use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), an anti-filarial medication with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, in the treatment of OSMF. DEC's anti-fibrotic properties make it a viable treatment option for OSMF which not only reduces fibrosis but also decreases the malignant potential. The potential mechanism of action is discussed in detail.