Common high-blood pressure medication could be used to treat breast cancer, new study finds

When grandmother Sue McQualter was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer, she didn't give up without a fight.

The cancer doubled in size in weeks but she continually told her grandchildren "this wasn't granny's turn".

"I wasn't going anywhere yet," McQualter said.

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As part of her treatment, she underwent chemotherapy and has had great results.

But for many patients, treatment isn't always so straightforward, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer, which is more difficult to treat.

Now researchers from Monash University have discovered beta-blockers, commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, can significantly enhance the effect of chemotherapy in those patients.

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"Using beta blockers during chemotherapy can slow down the spread of cancer," Professor Erica Sloan from Monash University said.

The study published today found anthracycline chemotherapy, an older class of chemo that is still widely used, on its own induces nerve-fibre growth in tumours.

But when they added a beta-blocker, it inhibited nerve-fibre activity and stopped cancer from coming back after treatment.

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"We know beta blockers are safe and they are widely available, that's why we purposely looked into a beta blocker," Dr Aeson Chang from Monash University said.

It is hoped the discovery will pave the way for future research that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for the 20,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each year, including those with limited treatment options.

"Our finding really gives us a new way to improve chemotherapy so that these patients can benefit," Sloan said.

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