Repurposing of androgen receptors inhibitors for prostate cancer treatment to treat other cancer in males such as melanoma.

For many cancer types, women have lower incidence and better outcomes than men. The role of sex steroid hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, has been studied in reproductive organ cancers such as prostate and breast cancer, but not in other non-androgen (AR)-driven cancers. Recent studies have shown that testosterone promotes cancer cell proliferation. 

Inhibiting testosterone-induced tumor growth as a new therapeutic approach for non-AR-driven cancer. 

Dr. Ridky and colleagues demonstrated that testosterone promotes cancer cell proliferation through a non-AR-dependent mechanism.  Four existing FDA-approved androgen receptor inhibitors, flutamide, bicalutamide, enzalutamide, and apalutamide, are inhibiting the proliferation of different cancer cell lines, from non-reproductive non-AR expressing tissues. Hence these therapeutics may have a way broader therapeutic effect than earlier contemplated. 

• Enhance effectiveness of current cancer therapy treatment using already approved drugs