Anti-fungal drug could be used to treat cancer

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Anti-fungal drug could be used to treat cancer

New York, June 30, 2005

A new study has found that Griseofulvin, an anti-fungal drug, has

the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer.

The drug has the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in a

manner that is similar to much more powerful anticancer drugs such

as taxol and vinblastine.

, professor of biochemistry and pharmacology at the

University of California, Santa Barbara, said, " Although its anti-

cancer activity is weak, it is already approved for human use and

could be used along with more powerful anticancer agents as an

adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy. "

" The drug has remarkably few side effects and has been used for a

long time, " says the science portal EurekAlert.org.

Griseofulvin is administered orally and has been used to treat

ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin.