Antidepressant Vortioxetine Shows Potential in Treating Aggressive Brain Tumors

Researchers find that the widely available drug is effective against glioblastomas in lab and animal tests, with clinical trials planned.

Glioblastoma, an aggressive and often fatal brain tumor, currently has limited treatment options due to the blood-brain barrier.
ETH Zurich researchers used a special screening platform to identify vortioxetine, an antidepressant, as effective against glioblastoma cells.
Vortioxetine, already approved by regulatory agencies, was shown to work well in lab tests and on mice, particularly when combined with standard treatments.
The drug's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and its cost-effectiveness make it a promising candidate for repurposing.
Clinical trials are being prepared to test vortioxetine in glioblastoma patients, though researchers caution against self-medication.