Repurposing drugs for the treatment of glioma

Abstract

Glioma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system. In addition to traditional anticancer drugs, some common nonchemotherapeutic drugs have been considered by some scholars, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metformin, and statins. These drugs are often used for the treatment of noncancerous diseases. However, it was found that those drugs could be considered for the clinical treatment of glioma, especially in combination with chemotherapy drugs, which may improve the treatment effect. This process is called “repurposing.” Here, we aim to review these drugs and the literature. These “old drugs” have been used clinically for many years, and their safety and feasibility are high. Such combinations are expected to become a new strategy in chemotherapy for glioma in the clinic.