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Drug May Help Prevent the Spread of Eye Cancer
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri have just released a study showing that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, common in anti-seizure medications, prevent the spread of uveal melanoma, the most common type of eye cancer. According to principal investigator, J. William Harbour, MD, “Melanoma in general, and uveal melanoma in particular, is notoriously difficult to treat once it has metastasized and grown in a distant organ.” This means that eye cancer can easily become deadly without prompt and proper treatment.
Slowing Tumor Growth
According to the study, HDAC inhibitors are capable of reversing the molecular signature of uveal melanoma, changing the way key genes are expressed and rendering the tumor less aggressive. While these findings are preliminary, the prospect of slowing the progression of eye cancer is certainly exciting news to ophthalmologists and oncologists alike.
Clinical trials are set to begin within the next 12 months. Because HDAC inhibitors are already on the market and are known to have relatively few, mild side effects, the lead researchers do not expect much trouble getting FDA approval for this new use.
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