Study: Anti-Nausea Drug Kills Brain Tumor Cells

Findings from the University of Adelaide demonstrate that the growth of brain tumors can be slowed by a drug treating the side effects of chemotherapy. A study assessing the relationship between brain tumors and a peptide linked to brain inflammation, known as “substance P”, led to the discovery. Substance P is released in the body by the nervous system and contributes to post-injury tissue swelling. Levels of substance P in the brain can increase after traumatic brain injury and stroke, and can increase brain tumor tissue.

With the use of an antagonist drug used to quell chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients, scientists were able to stop substance P from binding to a receptor called NK1, resulting in reduced brain tumor growth and death of cancer cells. For the full article, click here.