Researchers from the UK have screened around 700 USFDA-approved drugs for properties such as the ability to kill prostate cancer cells, protect non-cancer cells from radiation therapy-induced cytotoxicity, and increase hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels in both cancer and healthy cells. Betamethasone is one of the top five drugs to fit the bill. Betamethasone increases H 2 O 2 levels in healthy prostate cells , thereby triggering the expression of a protein called “RelB” and an antioxidant enzyme, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) .
RelB and MnSOD act as radioprotectors for non-cancerous tissues both in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, betamethasone suppresses the expression of MnSOD and RelB in cancer cells , leading to their radiosensitization. The study findings can potentiate a new therapeutic regimen with betamethasone as it increases the effectiveness of radiation therapy…
