Northwestern University Research Finds Asthma Drug Montelukast May Combat Aggressive Cancers
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that montelukast, a drug commonly used to treat asthma and allergies, may also be effective in fighting aggressive cancers. The study, conducted by Professor Bin Zhang and his team, focused on the CysLTR1 molecule, which is known for its role in asthma and inflammation. The research demonstrated that blocking CysLTR1 with montelukast can slow tumor growth and enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer. This finding was supported by experiments on mouse models and human tumor samples, showing potential for improving treatment for cancers like triple-negative breast cancer, where immunotherapy often fails. The drug's existing FDA approval for asthma treatment could expedite its clinical testing for cancer therapy.