Recent research suggests that repurposing drugs could be a potential treatment option for retinal degenerations. A study revealed that a combination therapy using three existing drugs – tamsulosin, metoprolol, and bromocriptine – effectively slowed down the progression of the disease in pre-clinical retinopathy models.
Drug repurposing involves utilizing existing drugs to treat conditions for which they were not originally intended. The focus of this study was on repurposing drugs for inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), a group of genetic disorders that lead to the deterioration of retinal function and structure, resulting in gradual vision loss and potentially blindness. Most IRDs currently lack effective treatments, presenting a significant unmet medical need globally.
Effectiveness of Combined Drug Therapy
The study demonstrated that a combination of three drugs significantly slowed disease progression and reduced symptoms in various animal models of IRD. The combination included metoprolol, a drug for blood pressure and heart conditions, tamsulosin, used for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and bromocriptine, an older medication for Parkinson’s disease.
According to Dr. Henri Leinonen, the first author of the study, the molecular-level effects of drugs are crucial in drug repurposing, regardless of their originally intended uses. The three drugs in the combination work by targeting intracellular signaling pathways that are believed to contribute to the progression of retinal degenerations.
Potential of Drug Repurposing in Rare Diseases
Repurposing drugs could offer hope for treating rare diseases like IRDs, which often do not attract significant interest from pharmaceutical companies due to limited economic incentives. By repurposing existing drugs, researchers can expedite the drug development process and reduce costs significantly. Repurposed drugs have already undergone safety testing and early clinical trials, streamlining the path to market approval.
Overall, drug repurposing presents a promising approach to addressing medical needs in rare diseases and conditions for which effective treatments are currently unavailable.
