Parkinson’s Disease Drug “Dopamine” Might Treat Cancer As Well

March 17, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) In a research study performed on Laboratory rats, scientists at Mayo Clinic where able to determine that the drug “Dopamine” which is primarily used as a treatment against Parkinson’s disease can help diminish the development of new blood vessels which could aide cancer patients in the future as it stops advancement of the cancer.

“Researchers can now test this concept in solid tumors where angiogenesis which is a formation of new blood vessels plays a critical role in the growth and progression of these cancers,” He also added that, “sometimes new drugs may not be the answer. We looked instead at a novel use for an established product, and have found very promising results, this is the very first time it has been shown that an important neurotransmitter like dopamine is regulating the mobilization of these progenitor cells from the bone marrow. This is very important, and represents why these findings are so unique,” Dr. Sujit Basu, a Mayo Clinic Oncologist, said in a prepared statement.

Dr. Basu and his colleagues at the Mayo Clinic published its findings last Monday at the Journal Of Clinical Investigation Online Edition. In their publication, researchers summarized that the drug Dopamine can prevent endothelial progenitor, which are cells that helps in forming new blood vessels in our body, from escalating further to the bone marrow and the circulatory system in effect controlling the growth of cancerous cells to other parts of the body not initially infected.

In general, the drug Dopamine has been marketed in the US and approved by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration as a form of medication that helps in treatment for diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, pituitary tumors and heart attack. Parkinson’s disease is described as a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which diminishes the person’s ability to speak and to move freely. Currently, it is one of the most devastating forms of disease that affects thousands of Americans.

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Health