A surprising twist in medical research may revolutionize the way we fight cancer, as a common malaria drug, pyronaridine, shows promise in the battle against this significant health menace. Renato Aguilera, Ph.D., a professor from The University of Texas at El Paso, spearheaded this inventive approach by repurposing the three-decade-old anti-malarial medication for cancer treatment, after a discovery that came about serendipitously in 2017.
In extensive lab research aided by Paulina Villanueva, Ph.D., a then doctoral student, the two scientists uncovered how pyronaridine interferes with cancer cells. Villanueva, now a postdoctoral research scholar at the University of Central Florida, recalls the excitement of seeing their joint efforts come to potentially life-extending fruition, stating, "It’s incredible to witness the hard work invested in this research come to fruition,” as obtained by UTEP. The pair's findings, published in a 2018 issue of PLOS One, reveal that the drug slows the replication of certain cancer cells and even prompts them to undergo "cellular suicide," without causing harm to the normal, non-dividing cells.
What makes pyronaridine stand out in the crowded field of cancer-fighting agents, according to Aguilera, is the "trifecta" it offers, "slowed growth of cells, programmed cell death, and minimal impact to healthy cells," as per UTEP. Early tests have shown increased longevity in terminally ill patients with late-stage breast, lung, and liver cancers, though Aguilera has cautioned that clinical trials are necessary before the drug can be widely used.
On the path to potentially becoming a standard in oncological care, pyronaridine has cleared a significant hurdle. This spring, a patent was granted in partnership with pharmaceutical firm Armaceutica, recognizing Aguilera as the inventor of this new use for the drug. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the patent, a critical step towards actual patient care and reinforcing the drug's potential for use in future therapies, possibly in combination with immunotherapy. Villanueva highlights the still-arduous journey ahead, "The journey isn’t over yet — there’s still much to be done — but securing the drug’s patent is a significant milestone that will drive future progress," as reported by UTEP.
