Movement disorder drug may prevent skin cancer recurrence

Image credit – Ohio State University

CANCER DIGEST – April 18, 2021 – A drug already approved for treatment of Parkinson’s and other neurotransmitter disorders may be effective in reducing skin cancer recurrence, say researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Their findings appear in the April 12, journal Cancer Prevention Research.
While the study involved animal models, the drug tested has already been approved for use in humans for the treatment of involuntary movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, restless legs syndrome, and dyskinesia. The drug belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists, which regulate the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine that affects a number of physical and mental functions, according to healthline. These drugs typically stimulate one of two receptors for dopamine, D1 or D2.

Led by Suit Basu, MD, PhD the researchers showed that activating D2 receptors in the brain stopped the development and progression of certain ultraviolet B induced skin cancers. They also described the molecular sequence of events that led to the cancer suppression.

“Our study suggests that a commonly used drug that activates specific dopamine receptors could help reduce squamous cell skin cancer recurrence and possibly even prevent the disease entirely," said Basu in a press release. "This is especially exciting because this is a drug that is already readily used in clinical settings and is relatively inexpensive. We are excited to continue momentum in this area of research.”

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. according to the American Cancer Society. The less fatal form of the disease is cancer of basal cells or squamous cells, which are often successfully treated with surgery, however the cancer typically recurs throughout the person’s lifetime. Preventing such recurrences would make a significant impact on the incidence of this cancer.

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Source: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center press release