Washington: A study conducted on mice has revealed that a new cancer drug could potentially help treat brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Researchers reported that the drug inhibits an enzyme called Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1).
They stated that IDO1 inhibitors are being developed as treatments for cancers such as melanoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. These drugs fight cancer by preventing cancer cells from evading the immune system.
However, researchers also noted that these drugs could potentially treat the early stages of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, as the same enzyme has been implicated in affecting brain cells.
Senior researcher Dr. Catherine Anderson mentioned that inhibiting the IDO1 enzyme, particularly with compounds that have already been tested in clinical trials for cancer, could be a significant step in protecting our brains from damage caused by aging and neurodegeneration.