Drug Repurposing for Treatment of Cancer

Drug repurposing is a ray of hope for therapy of various diseases including cancer. Since historical times, drugs like nitrogen mustards, chlorambucil, etc. have been repurposed in cancer therapy and are still in use for the same. Various drugs used for cardiovascular system disorders like aspirin, beta-blockers, central nervous system drugs like antipsychotics, etc. have shown promising benefits in various observational studies for colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc. Thalidomide which was introduced initially as a sedative and had catastrophic withdrawal from drug market has been able to make a comeback for multiple myeloma. Drug repurposing helps to combat the challenges of time, finances, and resources required in new drug development which is the need of the hour due to increasing prevalence of various types of cancer.