Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that Methotrexate
(MTX), which is one thousandth of the cost of the current drug used to
treat Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), a group of blood disorders
related to leukemia, can also provide relief.
"Given that a year's course of low-dose MTX costs around $45, the
potential to repurpose MTX could provide thousands of patients with a
much needed treatment option and also generate substantial savings for
health care systems," researcher Dr. Martin Zeidler said in a statement.
"Because MTX is a World Health Organization 'Essential Medicine', this
also means that this well understood drug could be used throughout the
developing world."
The arthritis drug is commonly used at low doses to treat
inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease
and psoriasis and has few side effects. It is also used in some cancers
at much higher doses where the side effects are substantial and similar
to other chemotherapy agents.
MPNs are most often diagnosed in people in their 50s and 60s and
currently treatment is limited to aspirin, removal of excess blood and
mild chemotherapy. Recently, the drug Ruxolitinib has been developed and
has been shown to provide relief, but at a cost of more than $ 60,000
per year per patient, it has not been approved by the National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Zeidler is now working with clinical colleagues at the Royal
Hallamshire Hospital to examine the possibility of repurposing low-dose
MTX for the treatment of blood cancers.
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