Are beta blockers new potential anticancer agents?

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(22):9567-74. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.22.9567.

Abstract

β-Blockers have been one of the most widely used and versatile drugs for the past half a century. A new potential for their use as anti-cancer drugs has emerged in the past few years. Various retrospective case control studies have been suggestive that use of β-blockers before the diagnosis of cancer could have preventive and protective effects against non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, and breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Experimental and clinical observations are still inconclusive with some inconsistent findings. However, indications are pointing toward a positive role of some β-blockers against certain forms of cancers. This mini review is an effort to present the up to date published results of case-control studies and experimental findings.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / prevention & control
  • Catecholamines / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / prevention & control
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Catecholamines