Antipsychotic Drug Exhibits Cancer-fighting Properties

Findings in a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation show that an antipsychotic medication called perphenazine can actively combat the cells of a difficult-to-treat form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The drug works by turning on a cancer-suppressing enzyme called PP2A, which then causes malignant tumor cells to self-destruct. Results of the study suggest that medications can potentially be developed to activate PP2A — while avoiding perphenazine’s psychotropic effects — helping clinicians treat ALL in addition to other tumors as well. To find out more about this study, click here.