Do Alzheimer’s patients have restored hope? Cancer medication displays ‘high potential’
A medication that was originally created to treat cancer may now be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, according to research. In models that mimic Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have demonstrated that they can enhance memory and brain function by blocking the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1).
IDO1 inhibitors have already shown promise in the treatment of melanoma, leukemia, and breast cancer, among other cancers. According to recent research from Penn State, these medications may also be useful in treating Alzheimer’s. “We’re showing that there is high potential for IDO1 inhibitors, which are already within the repertoire of drugs being developed for cancer treatments, to target and treat Alzheimer’s,” said Melanie McReynolds, an assistant professor at Penn State who also co-authored the study.
Scientists from Penn State, Stanford University, and other universities participated in the research team. They discovered that blocking IDO1 aids in the restoration of normal glucose metabolism in astrocytes, which are the most prevalent cells in the brain. Because glucose is necessary for brain function, low blood glucose levels can cause seizures, poor thinking, and even irreversible brain damage.
“We’re demonstrating that by targeting the brain’s metabolism, we can not only slow, but reverse the progression of this disease,” co-author of the study, Praveena Prasad said, who’s also a Penn State doctoral student.
IDO1 inhibitors may also be helpful for Parkinson’s disease dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders, according to a study published in the journal Science.
Millions of people worldwide are impacted by the growing global health crisis known as Alzheimer’s disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression, even though there is no known cure. The results of this study provide hope for novel treatment strategies for this debilitating illness.
