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April 20, Arizona: A team of scientists at the University of Arizona Cancer Center has uncovered a surprising candidate for treating Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and deadly form of skin cancer: pyrvinium pamoate, a decades-old pinworm medication. Their findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, demonstrate the drug’s ability to halt cancer growth and reverse neuroendocrine features in lab models, offering hope for improved therapies.
Breakthrough Findings
Pyrvinium pamoate, FDA-approved in 1955 for parasitic infections, effectively inhibited MCC cell proliferation in laboratory cultures and reduced tumor growth in mouse models. The drug also reversed neuroendocrine characteristics of MCC, which are linked to the cancer’s aggressive behavior.
Why This Matters
MCC is three to five times deadlier than melanoma, with limited success rates for current treatments like surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy. Incidence rates are rising, underscoring the urgency for new therapies.
How It Works
The team identified the Wnt signaling pathway—a critical driver of MCC progression—as pyrvinium’s primary target. The drug additionally activates p53-mediated apoptosis, disrupts mitochondrial function, and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress in cancer cells.
Hypothesis: Tumors and parasites may exploit similar pathways to hijack host resources, explaining why antiparasitic drugs like pyrvinium show antitumor effects.
Broader Implications
Pyrvinium has previously shown promise against breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and bladder cancers. This study marks its first application in MCC, aligning with growing interest in repurposing existing drugs for oncology.
Next Steps
Researchers emphasize the need to optimize dosing and evaluate pyrvinium’s efficacy in clinical trials. If successful, it could become a broadly accessible treatment for MCC and other Wnt-driven cancers.
Disclaimer: This study was conducted in preclinical models. Further research is required to confirm safety and efficacy in humans. Consult healthcare providers before considering off-label drug use.
Key Contributors: Dr. Megha Padi (senior author) and collaborators from the University of Arizona, Harvard Medical School, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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