In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at UC San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes have discovered that two cancer drugs, letrozole and irinotecan, may hold the key to reversing Alzheimer’s disease.
Using advanced computer tools, the team analysed how Alzheimer’s changes brain cells at the genetic level. Then, they looked for FDA-approved drugs that could do the opposite. Out of 1,300 drugs, just 10 showed promise. Two cancer drugs stood out, and when tested together in mice with severe Alzheimer’s symptoms, the results were striking.
The combination not only reduced brain damage but also improved memory in the animals. While neither drug worked alone, together they reversed harmful brain changes and cleared clumps of toxic tau proteins, which are common in Alzheimer’s patients.
“It is rare to see such strong results. This gives us real hope that we are moving closer to a meaningful treatment,” said Dr Marina Sirota, one of the study’s senior authors. Alzheimer’s affects over 7 million people in the US and has proven difficult to treat. Current medications offer limited benefits. However, this study used big data, including gene expression and electronic medical records from over a million patients, to zero in on a promising solution. Dr Yadong Huang, another lead researcher, said a clinical trial could be on the horizon. “We have seen the effects in mice. Now, we hope to bring this potential therapy to human patients,” he said. The findings were published in Cell on July 21.