Repurposing Antimalarial Drug Mefloquine for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Mefloquine (MQ) is a quinoline class of drugs that has been in clinical use for the last four decades for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Several recent literature studies on MQ illustrate that this drug exhibits good to excellent cytotoxicity and cell proliferation inhibition against several cancer cells. MQ also exhibits good in vivo tumor growth inhibition as a single agent and effectively synergizes with primary cancer chemotherapeutics in arresting tumor growth. Mechanism of action studies indicate that MQ has pleiotropic effects on cancer cells that include inhibition of autophagy, lysosomal disruption, inhibition of various signaling pathways, and inhibition of Pgp pumps. Based on the in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy data, MQ has excellent potential to succeed as an adjuvant therapy as well as a primary agent in combination with chemotherapeutics for many solid and hematological malignancies. MQs ready and inexpensive availability and long-standing record of clinical use qualify this drug for repurposing for anticancer applications.