Work

Repurposing Itraconazole in Combination with Chemotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cancer remains a significant global health burden despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy in oncology, offering reduced costs and shorter development timelines compared with de novo drug discovery. Among repurposed agents, the antifungal drug itraconazole has demonstrated anticancer activity across multiple tumor types, particularly when used in combination with other therapeutic modalities. In this review, we summarize current preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the use of itraconazole in cancer therapy, with a specific focus on its combination with chemotherapeutic agents and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors. We highlight proposed mechanisms underlying this synergy, including modulation of tumor metabolism, angiogenesis, and immune signaling pathways. Additionally, we discuss key challenges and limitations, such as drug-drug interactions and toxicity considerations, that must be addressed to optimize clinical translation. Overall, the combination of itraconazole with chemotherapy or anti-PD-1 therapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy warranting further investigation in well-designed trials.

Source: Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/medsci14010055

Authors: Camille E. Zonfa, Anita Thyagarajan, Ravi P. Sahu

Institution: Wright State University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689