Chinese study uncovers cancer-fighting potential of impotence drugs like Viagra
Researchers find medication used to treat erectile dysfunction can also boost key anti-tumour immune cells
A new Chinese study now suggests that the drug may perhaps also help to save lives.
Sildenafil could combat cancer by strengthening a group of key anti-tumour immune cells, according to the study by researchers from China’s Westlake University, Zhejiang University, Peking Union Medical College and Shanghai Institute of Immunology.
Dendritic cells, which act as the “intelligence agents” of the immune system, can become severely depleted or functionally impaired as the tumour progresses. According to the researchers, sildenafil could reverse the process and help to restore the cells.
The researchers, led by Westlake cancer immunology specialist Zhou Ting, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on June 25.
In an article posted on its social media account the same day, the university hailed the discovery as a possible new “form of tumour immunotherapy strategy”.