Old Molecules, New Hope: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Drug Repurposing for Lung Cancer - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #lung-cancer
- #drug-repurposing
- #oncology
- Drug repurposing is gaining prominence in oncology, especially for lung cancer, by investigating approved drugs for new therapeutic purposes.
- The study maps the landscape of research on drug repurposing for lung cancer, identifying key molecular targets and research gaps.
- A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- 58 studies published between 2010 and 2024 were included, with most from the UK (19%) and US (17%).
- Most studies used in vitro models (53%), followed by in vivo (31%) and in silico (16%), often combining methods.
- The most investigated drug classes were antibiotics (10%), antipsychotics (9%), antidiabetics (8%), anthelmintics (6%), and antihistamines (6%).
- Frequently studied drugs included niclosamide, metformin, atorvastatin, and doxazosin, targeting pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, apoptosis, and autophagy.
- Bibliometric analysis showed increasing scientific output, with emphasis on combination therapies, cellular mechanisms, and technologies like molecular docking and nanosystems.
- The findings highlight the growing relevance of drug repurposing in lung cancer, especially for accelerating therapy discovery using approved compounds.
- Progress in this field depends on integrating diverse methodologies and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Rigorous clinical trials are essential next steps to confirm the efficacy and safety of promising repurposed agents in oncology.