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Nair SG, Benny S, Jose WM, Aneesh T P. Beta-blocker adjunct therapy as a prospective anti-metastatic with cardio-oncologic regulation. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024; 41:9-24. [PMID: 38177715 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The prevailing treatment stratagem in cancer therapy still challenges the dilemma of a probable metastatic spread following an initial diagnosis. Including an anti-metastatic agent demands a significant focus to overrule the incidence of treatment failures. Adrenergic stimulation underlying the metastatic spread paved the way for beta blockers as a breakthrough in repurposing as an anti-metastatic agent. However, the current treatment approach fails to fully harness the versatile potential of the drug in inhibiting probable metastasis. The beta blockers were seen to show a myriad of grip over the pro-metastatic and prognostic parameters of the patient. Novel interventions in immune therapy, onco-hypertension, surgery-induced stress, induction of apoptosis and angiogenesis inhibition have been used as evidence to interpret our objective of discussing the potential adjuvant role of the drug in the existing anti-cancer regimens. Adding weight to the relative incidence of onco-hypertension as an unavoidable side effect from chemotherapy, the slot for an anti-hypertensive agent is necessitated, and we try to suggest beta-blockers to fill this position. However, pointing out the paucity in the clinical study, we aim to review the current status of beta blockers under this interest to state how the drug should be included as a drug of choice in every patient undergoing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin G Nair
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Sonu Benny
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Wesley M Jose
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS PO, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India.
| | - Aneesh T P
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India.
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Wu YL, van Hyfte G, Özbek U, Reincke M, Gampa A, Mohamed YI, Nishida N, Wietharn B, Amara S, Lee PC, Scheiner B, Balcar L, Pinter M, Vogel A, Weinmann A, Saeed A, Pillai A, Rimassa L, Naqash AR, Muzaffar M, Huang YH, Kaseb AO, Kudo M, Pinato DJ, Ang C. Outcomes of beta blocker use in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1128569. [PMID: 36865801 PMCID: PMC9971987 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1128569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension increases intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and bacterial translocation, promoting an inflammatory state that can lead to the progression of liver disease and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate whether beta blockers (BBs), which can mediate portal hypertension, conferred survival benefits in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 578 patients with unresectable HCC treated with ICI from 2017 to 2019 at 13 institutions across three continents. BB use was defined as exposure to BBs at any time during ICI therapy. The primary objective was to assess the association of BB exposure with overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the association of BB use with progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results In our study cohort, 203 (35%) patients used BBs at any point during ICI therapy. Of these, 51% were taking a nonselective BB. BB use was not significantly correlated with OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12, 95% CI 0.9-1.39, P = 0.298), PFS (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.83-1.26, P = 0.844) or ORR (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.54-1.31, P = 0.451) in univariate or multivariate analyses. BB use was also not associated with incidence of adverse events (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.96-1.97, P = 0.079). Specifically, nonselective BB use was not correlated with OS (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.66-1.33, P = 0.721), PFS (HR 0.92, 0.66-1.29, P = 0.629), ORR (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.58-2.49, P = 0.623), or rate of adverse events (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.46-1.47, P = 0.510). Conclusion In this real-world population of patients with unresectable HCC treated with immunotherapy, BB use was not associated with OS, PFS or ORR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Linda Wu
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Grace van Hyfte
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Umut Özbek
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marlene Reincke
- Department of Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anuhya Gampa
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yehia I. Mohamed
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Brooke Wietharn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kansas University Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Suneetha Amara
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Pei-Chang Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kansas University Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele (Milan), Italy,Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Abdul Rafeh Naqash
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mahvish Muzaffar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ahmed O. Kaseb
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - David J. Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Celina Ang
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Celina Ang,
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Sauerbruch T, Hennenberg M, Trebicka J, Schierwagen R. Beta-blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis: Pragmatism or perfection? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1100966. [PMID: 36743678 PMCID: PMC9891090 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing decompensation, hyperdynamic circulatory disturbance occurs in liver cirrhosis despite activation of vasoconstrictors. Here, the concept of a therapy with non-selective beta-blockers was established decades ago. They lower elevated portal pressure, protect against variceal hemorrhage, and may also have pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects. Recently, the beneficial effect of carvedilol, which blocks alpha and beta receptors, has been highlighted. Carvedilol leads to "biased-signaling" via recruitment of beta-arrestin. This effect and its consequences have not been sufficiently investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis. Also, a number of questions remain open regarding the expression of beta-receptors and its intracellular signaling and the respective consequences in the intra- and extrahepatic tissue compartments. Despite the undisputed role of non-selective beta-blockers in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, we still can improve the knowledge as to when and how beta-blockers should be used in which patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Sauerbruch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany,*Correspondence: Tilman Sauerbruch,
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert Schierwagen
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Oura K, Morishita A, Tani J, Masaki T. Antitumor Effects and Mechanisms of Metabolic Syndrome Medications on Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1279-1298. [PMID: 36545268 PMCID: PMC9760577 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s392051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most common histological type. With the decrease in the number of newly infected patients and the spread of antiviral therapy, hepatitis virus-negative chronic liver diseases including steatohepatitis are increasingly accounting for a large proportion of HCC, and an important clinical characteristic is the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome including hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and obesity. Since patients with steatohepatitis are less likely to undergo surveillance for early detection of HCC, they may be diagnosed at an advanced stage and have worse prognosis. Therefore, treatment strategies for patients with HCC caused by steatohepatitis, especially in advanced stages, become increasingly important. Further, hypertension, T2D, and dyslipidemia may occur as side effects during systemic treatment, and there will be increasing opportunities to prescribe metabolic syndrome medications, not only for originally comorbid diseases, but also for adverse events during HCC treatment. Interestingly, epidemiological studies have shown that patients taking some metabolic syndrome medications are less likely to develop various types of cancers, including HCC. Basic studies have also shown that these drugs have direct antitumor effects on HCC. In particular, angiotensin II receptor blockers (a drug group for treating hypertension), biguanides (a drug group for treating T2D), and statins (a drug group for treating dyslipidemia) have shown to elucidate antitumor effects against HCC. In this review, we focus on the antitumor effects of metabolic syndrome medications on HCC and their mechanisms based on recent literature. New therapeutic agents are also increasingly being reported. Analysis of the antitumor effects of metabolic syndrome medications on HCC and their mechanisms will be doubly beneficial for HCC patients with metabolic syndrome, and the use of these medications may be a potential strategy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Oura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan,Correspondence: Kyoko Oura, Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kida, Kagawa, Japan, Tel +81-87-891-2156, Fax +81-87-891-2158, Email
| | - Asahiro Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Masaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
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Obesity and cancer-extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and adrenergic signaling as unusual suspects linking the two diseases. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:517-547. [PMID: 36074318 PMCID: PMC9470659 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10058-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is an established risk factor for several human cancers. Given the association between excess body weight and cancer, the increasing rates of obesity worldwide are worrisome. A variety of obesity-related factors has been implicated in cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. These factors include circulating nutritional factors, hormones, and cytokines, causing hyperinsulinemia, inflammation, and adipose tissue dysfunction. The impact of these conditions on cancer development and progression has been the focus of extensive literature. In this review, we concentrate on processes that can link obesity and cancer, and which provide a novel perspective: extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and adrenergic signaling. We describe molecular mechanisms involved in these processes, which represent putative targets for intervention. Liver, pancreas, and breast cancers were chosen as exemplary disease models. In view of the expanding epidemic of obesity, a better understanding of the tumorigenic process in obese individuals might lead to more effective treatments and preventive measures.
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Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and hepatocellular carcinoma survival: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00842-z. [PMID: 35737170 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical data have revealed that beta-adrenergic stimulation can affect the growth and progression of different types of malignancies. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers have been associated with improved survival in patients with many types of cancer. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between beta-blocker use and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. METHODS In this meta-analysis, a full search was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane library and Embase to identify all relevant studies published up to May 2021. Available hazard ratios (HRs) were extracted for overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Four studies involving 7252 patients with HCC met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systemic review. Three studies that reported OS data of 5148 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed that beta-blocker use was associated with significantly improved OS in HCC (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.54-0.88, P = 0.0031), without significant heterogeneity (I2 = 41%; Q = 6.42, P = 0.18). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggested that beta-blocker use can be associated with prolonged OS of patients with HCC.
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7
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Altshuler E, Aryan M, Kallumkal G, Gao H, Wilson J, Ouni A, De Leo E, Hanayneh W, Pan K. Impact of β-blockers on survival outcomes in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepat Oncol 2022; 9:HEP43. [PMID: 35665305 PMCID: PMC9136628 DOI: 10.2217/hep-2021-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background β-blockers (BBs) have shown promise in improving overall survival (OS) in patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancer. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of BBs on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The authors compared clinical data and outcomes between unresectable HCC patients based on whether they were prescribed BBs. Results There was significantly decreased disease progression in the BB group compared with the non-BB group (22.8 vs 28.0%; p < 0.05). No difference was seen in OS or progression-free survival between groups. Those specifically on selective BBs had improved OS (hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.94; p = 0.01) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45-0.96; p = 0.03) compared with non-BB patients. Conclusion Although the authors' study did not demonstrate that BBs improve OS in HCC, it did show decreased disease progression among patients with HCC who were taking BBs compared with those who were not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellery Altshuler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mahmoud Aryan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Govind Kallumkal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hanzhi Gao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jake Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ahmed Ouni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Edward De Leo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wissam Hanayneh
- Division of Medical Oncology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kelsey Pan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Cheng HY, Lin HC, Lin HL, Uang YS, Keller JJ, Wang LH. Association Between Nonselective Beta-Blocker Use and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Without Cirrhosis and Decompensation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:805318. [PMID: 35069216 PMCID: PMC8777254 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.805318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs) can reduce the incidence or mortality of certain types of cancers, and NSBBs exert a protective effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. However, the potential preventive effect of NSBBs has not yet been investigated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who have a high HCC risk regardless of the presence of underlying cirrhosis. Aim: This study evaluated the association between NSBB use and HCC incidence in patients with CHB without cirrhosis and decompensation. Methods: From the 2000 Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database, we enrolled patients who were newly diagnosed as having CHB from January 2001 to December 2011 and then followed them up for at least 5 years. To estimate the causal effect of NSBBs on the time-to-event outcomes of HCC, a marginal Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: After adjustment, no significant benefit of HCC risk reduction was observed between the NSBB users and nonusers (adjusted HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.52–1.31). The cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) analysis revealed no significant dose correlation among the three groups [adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.08, (0.56–2.05), 0.54 (0.17–1.77), and 0.76 (0.40–1.42) in the <90 cDDD, 90 to <180 cDDD, and ≥180 cDDD groups, respectively]. Duration-dependent associations were not observed. Multivariable stratified analysis results demonstrated that HCC risk markedly decreased in the patients aged >55 years (adjusted HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25–0.96; p = 0.04). Conclusion: NSBB did not significantly prevent HCC in the patients with CHB infection without cirrhosis and decompensation. This study provided one of valuable results that it is not clinically required to use NSBBs as recommended chemoprevention for HCC in high-risk patients who have CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Yun Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu C Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu L Lin
- Department of Neurology, General Cathay Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yow S Uang
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Joseph J Keller
- College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Li H Wang
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Mravec B. Neurobiology of Cancer: Introduction of New Drugs in the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6115. [PMID: 34204103 PMCID: PMC8201304 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on the neurobiology of cancer, which lies at the border of neuroscience and oncology, has elucidated the mechanisms and pathways that enable the nervous system to modulate processes associated with cancer initiation and progression. This research has also shown that several drugs which modulate interactions between the nervous system and the tumor micro- and macroenvironments significantly reduced the progression of cancer in animal models. Encouraging results were also provided by prospective clinical trials investigating the effect of drugs that reduce adrenergic signaling on the course of cancer in oncological patients. Moreover, it has been shown that reducing adrenergic signaling might also reduce the incidence of cancer in animal models, as well as in humans. However, even if many experimental and clinical findings have confirmed the preventive and therapeutic potential of drugs that reduce the stimulatory effect of the nervous system on processes related to cancer initiation and progression, several questions remain unanswered. Therefore, the aim of this review is to critically evaluate the efficiency of these drugs and to discuss questions that need to be answered before their introduction into conventional cancer treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Mravec
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; ; Tel.: +421-(2)-59357527; Fax: +421-(2)-59357601
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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10
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Beta-adrenergic blocker inhibits oral carcinogenesis and reduces tumor invasion. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 86:681-686. [PMID: 32980903 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Beta-adrenergic signaling can influence cancer progression and the use of beta blockers as adjuvant drugs in oncologic patients has been suggested. However, the involvement of beta-adrenergic blockers in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. This study investigated the action of beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol on tumor onset using a preclinical model of chemically induced oral cancer. METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar rats were subjected to daily subcutaneous injection of beta-blocker propranolol (10 mg/kg; SubQ), while another 32 rats received only a PBS injection (sham group). One week after starting propranolol treatment, all rats were submitted to chemical induction of oral carcinogenesis with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). After 16 weeks, they were assessed for occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), in addition to measurement of tumor volume and thickness, and tissue levels of cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the tumor microenvironment. RESULTS Propranolol treatment reduced the occurrence of OSCC by 31%, 95% CI ( - 127, 216). Beta-adrenergic blocker significantly decreased thickness of OSCC when compared with PBS. Rats treated with propranolol exhibited a lower tumor volume when compared with control rats, but this result did not reach statistical significance. Tumors from propranolol-treated rats exhibited reduced concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. There was no difference in the IL-10 levels between tumors from propranolol- and sham-treated rats. CONCLUSION Beta-adrenergic signaling may be one of the mechanisms associated with chemically induced oral carcinogenesis.
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Udumyan R, Montgomery S, Duberg AS, Fang F, Valdimarsdottir U, Ekbom A, Smedby KE, Fall K. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and liver cancer mortality in a national cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Scand J Gastroenterol 2020; 55:597-605. [PMID: 32412855 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2020.1762919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: β-adrenergic signaling has been implicated in the pathology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the evidence from clinical studies is limited. In this national population-based cohort study, we investigated the possible association of β-adrenergic receptor blockers and cancer-specific mortality among patients with primary HCC diagnosed in Sweden between 2006 and 2014.Methods: Patients were identified from the Swedish Cancer Register (n = 2104) and followed until 31 December 2015. We used Cox regression to evaluate the association of β-blockers dispensed within 90 days prior to cancer diagnosis, ascertained from the national Prescribed Drug Register, with liver cancer mortality identified from the Cause of Death Register, while controlling for socio-demographic factors, tumor characteristics, comorbidity, other medications and treatment procedures.Results: Over a median follow-up of 9.9 months, 1601 patients died (of whom 1309 from liver cancer). Compared with non-use, β-blocker use at cancer diagnosis [n = 714 (predominantly prevalent use, 93%)] was associated with lower liver cancer mortality [0.82 (0.72-0.94); p = .005]. Statistically significant associations were observed for non-selective [0.71 (0.55-0.91); p = .006], β1-receptor selective [0.86 [0.75-1.00); p = .049] and lipophilic [0.78 (0.67-0.90); p = .001] β-blockers. No association was observed for hydrophilic β-blockers [1.01 (0.80-1.28); p = .906] or other antihypertensive medications. Further analysis suggested that the observed lower liver cancer mortality rate was limited to patients with localized disease at diagnosis [0.82 (0.67-1.01); p = .062].Conclusion: β-blocker use was associated with lower liver cancer mortality rate in this national cohort of patients with HCC. A higher-magnitude inverse association was observed in relation to non-selective β-blocker use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruzan Udumyan
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Scott Montgomery
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ann-Sofi Duberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Unnur Valdimarsdottir
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anders Ekbom
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin E Smedby
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Hematology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Fall
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Bultas AC, Teshome B, Richter SK, Schafers S, Cooke E, Call WB. Use of Nonselective β-Blockers in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease and Select Complications. Ann Pharmacother 2019; 54:583-593. [PMID: 31810371 DOI: 10.1177/1060028019893092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To review the literature and recommendations for nonselective β-blockers (NSBBs) in the setting of variceal bleeding prophylaxis and decompensated liver disease. Data Sources: Literature search of MEDLINE was performed (1988 to October 2019) using the following search terms: cirrhosis, advanced cirrhosis, β-blocker, decompensation, prophylaxis. Abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, clinical practice guidelines, and product monographs were reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant English language studies and those conducted in humans were considered for analysis and inclusion. Data Synthesis: Evidence that suggests that NSBBs are harmful in advanced cirrhosis is overshadowed by confounding variables and small patient populations. The majority of the available evidence suggests neutral or beneficial effects on mortality with continuation of NSBBs despite liver disease progression. Based on the available literature, guidelines, and expert consensuses, NSBBs can be considered within this patient population and may have a positive impact on the majority of these patients. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review summarizes current place in therapy for NSBBs in the setting of cirrhosis and variceal bleeding prophylaxis. It also includes a discussion of the literature for use of NSBBs within the setting of different acute decompensations in which the data and recommendations for use are less clear. Conclusions: Recent evidence shows neutral or positive results for NSBB use in particular decompensation subgroups, which suggests that NSBBs can be used cautiously with close monitoring in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Questions still remain regarding optimal agent and dose and whether agents can be safely restarted after an acute decompensation episode.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Emily Cooke
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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