Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. After diagnosis, cancer treatment may involve radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Several of the approaches used to treat cancer also attack normal cells and, thus, there is the need for more effective treatments that decrease the toxicity...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-05-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/13/6/105 |
| _version_ | 1827716139862458368 |
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| author | Rita Peixoto Maria de Lourdes Pereira Miguel Oliveira |
| author_facet | Rita Peixoto Maria de Lourdes Pereira Miguel Oliveira |
| author_sort | Rita Peixoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. After diagnosis, cancer treatment may involve radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Several of the approaches used to treat cancer also attack normal cells and, thus, there is the need for more effective treatments that decrease the toxicity to normal cells and increase the success rates of treatment. The use of beta-blockers in cancer has been studied for their antagonist action on the adrenergic system through inhibition of beta-adrenergic receptors. Besides regulating processes such as blood pressure, heart rate, and airway strength or reactivity, beta-blockers block mechanisms that trigger tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. This study presents a literature review of the available studies addressing cancer treatments and beta-blockers. Overall, data suggest that propranolol may be used as a complement for the treatment of several types of cancer due to its ability to improve cancer outcomes by decreasing cancer cell proliferation rates. Nonetheless, additional in vitro studies should be performed to fully understand the protective role of BBs in cancer patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:34:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-092a0bde81f34a5f86093e9250416f55 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:34:20Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj.art-092a0bde81f34a5f86093e9250416f552023-11-20T01:47:31ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472020-05-0113610510.3390/ph13060105Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We?Rita Peixoto0Maria de Lourdes Pereira1Miguel Oliveira2Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalCICECO–Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalDepartment of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalCancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. After diagnosis, cancer treatment may involve radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Several of the approaches used to treat cancer also attack normal cells and, thus, there is the need for more effective treatments that decrease the toxicity to normal cells and increase the success rates of treatment. The use of beta-blockers in cancer has been studied for their antagonist action on the adrenergic system through inhibition of beta-adrenergic receptors. Besides regulating processes such as blood pressure, heart rate, and airway strength or reactivity, beta-blockers block mechanisms that trigger tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. This study presents a literature review of the available studies addressing cancer treatments and beta-blockers. Overall, data suggest that propranolol may be used as a complement for the treatment of several types of cancer due to its ability to improve cancer outcomes by decreasing cancer cell proliferation rates. Nonetheless, additional in vitro studies should be performed to fully understand the protective role of BBs in cancer patients.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/13/6/105beta-blockerstherapeutic applicationcancer |
| spellingShingle | Rita Peixoto Maria de Lourdes Pereira Miguel Oliveira Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? Pharmaceuticals beta-blockers therapeutic application cancer |
| title | Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? |
| title_full | Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? |
| title_fullStr | Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? |
| title_short | Beta-Blockers and Cancer: Where Are We? |
| title_sort | beta blockers and cancer where are we |
| topic | beta-blockers therapeutic application cancer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/13/6/105 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ritapeixoto betablockersandcancerwherearewe AT mariadelourdespereira betablockersandcancerwherearewe AT migueloliveira betablockersandcancerwherearewe |