Researchers found new breast cancer treatment from drug previously used to improve blood flow in damaged heart. Initial findings of Houston Methodist Hospital cancer researchers revealed combining Tilarginine Acetate (L-NMMA) with standard chemotherapy might be possible treatment method for triple negative breast cancer.
Triple negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer which is the most difficult to treat. It does not express the genes for the three receptors -- progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth receptor 2 -- which is the target of chemotherapy. Triple negative breast cancer usually requires combination of therapies.
In a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers found the new breast cancer treatment with Tilarginine Acetate is effective in mice. The said drug was previously tested for cardiogenic shock, however, FDA did not grant clinical use of the medicine for the disease after clinical trial failure.
The study also suggests Tilarginine Acetate can stop the creation of nitric oxide. This enzyme affects the survival of the patient, high nitric oxide is associated with low overall survival. It also reduces tumor blood vessels which can prevent further tumor growth and the spread of cancer cells.
"Our initial findings could lay the foundation for developing new therapies for women with triple negative breast cancer, for which prognosis is extremely poor," Dr. Angel Rodriguez, lead researcher and director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinic at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center said on a press release.
The researchers are planning a Phase I clinical trial to determine the effectivity of Tilarginine Acetate in human patients and determine the highest dosage possible with acceptable side effects. The trial will include at least 30 patients who are 18 years old and above. They will receive the breast cancer treatment at least 20 weeks. Expected possible side effects include allergic reactions, increase in blood pressure, or worse, stroke.
