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Can a Drug Used for Malaria Be the Key to Fighting Cancer?
Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have made a groundbreaking discovery that could change the landscape of cancer treatment. They have secured a patent for the anti-malarial drug pyronaridine, which has been in use for over 30 years, to be repurposed as a potential cancer-fighting agent.
A Chance Discovery
This revolutionary finding resulted from a fortuitous encounter in 2017 when Dr. Renato Aguilera, a professor of biological sciences at UTEP and an experienced cancer researcher, attended a university seminar on pyronaridine. Recognizing the drug’s molecular structure as potentially useful in combating cancer cells, Aguilera pursued extensive research to validate his hypothesis.
Quoting the famous scientist Louis Pasteur, Aguilera stated, “Chance favors the prepared mind. When I looked closely at the structure of the drug, I saw that it could be used to attack cancer cells.” Years later, the granting of a patent has brought this innovative approach one step closer to patient care.
The Science Behind Pyronaridine’s Anti-Cancer Properties
Along with then-doctoral student Dr. Paulina Villanueva, Aguilera conducted rigorous laboratory research to investigate how pyronaridine interacts with cancer cells. Their findings, published in PLOS One in 2018, revealed that in test tube studies, the drug significantly slowed the replication of cancer cells and triggered “cellular suicide” in leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, lung, ovarian, and breast cancer cells.
Cancer cells multiply at a much faster rate than normal cells, leading to the spread of the disease and worsening prognoses for patients. Aguilera and Villanueva discovered that pyronaridine disrupts the function of an enzyme called topoisomerase II, which cancer cells rely on for replication. This interference slows cancer growth and induces programmed cell death while sparing normal, healthy cells.
“With pyronaridine, we have the trifecta: slowed growth of cells, programmed cell death, and minimal impact on healthy cells,” Aguilera explained. “In the future, this drug could potentially be used in combination with immunotherapy to accelerate the destruction of cancer cells.”
From Lab to Clinical Trials
Encouragingly, pyronaridine has already demonstrated success in animal testing. A pilot study conducted by pharmaceutical firm Armaceutica on terminally ill patients with late-stage breast, lung, and liver cancers showed increased longevity. However, Aguilera emphasized that the drug must undergo extensive clinical trials before it can be widely used as a cancer treatment. These trials, which evaluate a drug’s safety and efficacy in humans, can take several years to complete.
Dr. Villanueva, now a postdoctoral research scholar at the NanoScience Technology Center at the University of Central Florida, played a crucial role in this discovery. Reflecting on the journey, she said, “It’s incredible to witness the hard work invested in this research come to fruition. Research opens the door to countless possibilities, and while personalized medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all, pyronaridine could be a breakthrough for some patients.”
Securing the Patent
The United States Patent and Trademark Office officially granted a patent for pyronaridine’s use in cancer treatment this spring. This patent, in partnership with Armaceutica, recognizes Dr. Aguilera as the inventor and intellectual property owner of this innovative application of pyronaridine.
Looking Ahead
While the path to making pyronaridine an approved cancer treatment is still long, this discovery marks an exciting development in the field of oncology. With further research and successful clinical trials, pyronaridine could potentially become a new weapon in the fight against cancer.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this article is based on preliminary research and has not yet been approved for general medical use. Pyronaridine has not completed clinical trials for cancer treatment, and its effectiveness in humans remains under investigation. Patients should not use this drug for cancer treatment outside of a clinical trial setting. Always consult with a healthcare professional before considering new treatments.
