Repurposing drugs in oncology (ReDO)—Cimetidine as an anti-cancer agent

TLDR

Cimetidine, the first widely used H2 receptor antagonist, has demonstrated anti‑cancer properties across numerous pre‑clinical and clinical studies in various cancer types. The study proposes that cimetidine could synergize with existing chemotherapeutics and calls for further investigation of its anti‑cancer potential. The authors review cimetidine’s distinct mechanisms of action and discuss possible drug combinations in the supplementary material. Evidence suggests that peri‑operative cimetidine administration may improve survival in certain cancers.

Abstract

Cimetidine, the first H2 receptor antagonist in widespread clinical use, has anti-cancer properties that have been elucidated in a broad range of pre-clinical and clinical studies for a number of different cancer types. These data are summarised and discussed in relation to a number of distinct mechanisms of action. Based on the evidence presented, it is proposed that cimetidine would synergise with a range of other drugs, including existing chemotherapeutics, and that further exploration of the potential of cimetidine as an anti-cancer therapeutic is warranted. Furthermore, there is compelling evidence that cimetidine administration during the peri-operative period may provide a survival benefit in some cancers. A number of possible combinations with other drugs are discussed in the supplementary material accompanying this paper.