Researchers unlock cancer therapy potential of antidepressant

A new study spearheaded by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has found a new way of using an antidepressant treatment as a means of combating a common form of leukaemia.

The antidepressant tranylcypromine (TCP), when combined with the retinoid called all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), has been found to offer benefits in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

ATRA is already known to be an effective therapy for a specific rare subtype of AML, but until now it was unknown why it was not effective for more common forms of the condition.

The new study found that TCP can reverse a molecular block that prevents the treatment from taking effect.

Dr Arthur Zelent of the ICR, senior author of the new study, said: "We think this is a very promising strategy and if these findings can be replicated in patients the potential benefits are enormous."

Data from Cancer Research UK shows that 7,659 people in the UK were diagnosed with leukaemia in 2008, representing two percent of all cancer cases.