Antifungal medicine shown to slow tumor growth in mice study

A common antifungal medication called itraconazole can slow tumor growth in mice, according to scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine. This medication inhibits a molecular pathway important during both fetal development and cancer progression. Because it works at dose levels already approved for use in humans, clinical trials in patients may not be far off. This was as said by researchers. "There is a fairly broad range of tumors in which this molecular cascade, called the 'Hedgehog' pathway, plays an important role," said developmental stem cell biologist Philip Beachy, PhD. " The thing about screening existing drugs is that you already have all the information about dosage and toxicity and you can move into clinical trials fairly readily.
itraconazole alone doesn't eliminate the tumor. the researchers hope that when they combine the treatment with other therapies that target the same critical pathway may be a valuable option for many patients.