Recent research from China suggests that amlodipine besylate, a widely prescribed medication for hypertension, may offer a novel treatment approach for craniopharyngioma—a rare, benign yet invasive brain tumor. Craniopharyngiomas develop near critical brain structures such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, often leading to complications like hormone dysfunction and metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Currently, the primary treatment involves surgical removal, which carries significant risks due to the tumor’s proximity to vital neural pathways.
In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers developed mouse models that closely replicate the pathological progression of craniopharyngioma. Through screening approximately 3,000 compounds, they identified 74 with potential antitumor effects, among which amlodipine besylate stood out for its potency in suppressing tumor growth. The drug appears to act by blocking calcium signals essential for communication between hypothalamic neurons and tumor cells. Given amlodipine’s established safety profile and widespread clinical use, these findings pave the way for potential repurposing of the drug as a therapeutic option for craniopharyngioma, pending further clinical validation. Click for More Details
