Chinese study uncovers cancer-fighting potential of impotence drugs like Viagra
sexual impotence have been treated for years with the drug sildenafil, sold under brand names including the well-known
Viagra
A new Chinese study now suggests that the drug may perhaps also help to save lives.
Sildenafil could combat cancer by strengthening a group of key anti-tumour immune cells, according to the study by researchers from China's Westlake University, Zhejiang University, Peking Union Medical College and Shanghai Institute of Immunology.
Dendritic cells, which act as the 'intelligence agents' of the immune system, can become severely depleted or functionally impaired as the tumour progresses. According to the researchers, sildenafil could reverse the process and help to restore the cells.
The researchers, led by Westlake cancer immunology specialist Zhou Ting, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on June 25.
In an article posted on its social media account the same day, the university hailed the discovery as a possible new 'form of tumour immunotherapy strategy'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese study uncovers cancer-fighting potential of impotence drugs like Viagra
Men around the world dealing with sexual impotence have been treated for years with the drug sildenafil, sold under brand names including the well-known Viagra A new Chinese study now suggests that the drug may perhaps also help to save lives. Sildenafil could combat cancer by strengthening a group of key anti-tumour immune cells, according to the study by researchers from China's Westlake University, Zhejiang University, Peking Union Medical College and Shanghai Institute of Immunology. Dendritic cells, which act as the 'intelligence agents' of the immune system, can become severely depleted or functionally impaired as the tumour progresses. According to the researchers, sildenafil could reverse the process and help to restore the cells. The researchers, led by Westlake cancer immunology specialist Zhou Ting, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on June 25. In an article posted on its social media account the same day, the university hailed the discovery as a possible new 'form of tumour immunotherapy strategy'.
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Space oil' linked to possible fatal condition among Hong Kong teen users: study
Some Hong Kong teenagers using the illegal drug 'space oil' were found to suffer from a possibly fatal condition in which levels of certain important hormones were drastically reduced, a study from a medical journal has found. Doctors involved in the research also found that the impact on young people's health could persist even if they stopped using the drug but were still exposed to it while hanging out with other users. The findings were contained in medical research report on the narcotic's health impact on three boys, aged 15 to 17, who were all diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency after being sent to public hospital paediatric departments in April and May last year. The cases are the first three teenagers documented in Hong Kong. One of the teenagers mentioned in the report continued to show signs of adrenal insufficiency despite having stopped abusing space oil for several months, with doctors saying it could be due to second-hand exposure. 'This is the first local paediatric report of adrenal insufficiency associated with etomidate misuse via e-cigarettes,' researchers said in the article, which was published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal last month.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Space oil' linked to possible fatal condition among Hong Kong teen users: study
Some Hong Kong teenagers using the illegal drug 'space oil' have suffered from a possibly fatal condition in which levels of certain important hormones are drastically reduced, a study from a medical journal has found. Doctors involved in the research also found that the impact on young people's health could persist even if they stopped using the drug but were still exposed to it while hanging out with other users. The findings came to light in a medical research report on the narcotic's health impact on three boys, aged 15 to 17, who were all diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency after being sent to public hospital paediatric departments in April and May last year. The cases are the first three documented in Hong Kong. One of the teenagers mentioned in the report continued to show signs of adrenal insufficiency despite having stopped abusing space oil for several months, with doctors saying it could be due to second-hand exposure. 'This is the first local paediatric report of adrenal insufficiency associated with etomidate misuse via e-cigarettes,' researchers said in the article, which was published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal last month.
