Repurposing β-blockers for non-cardiovascular diseases

β-blockers belong to a broad class of drugs that are FDA approved for cardiovascular diseases. Some β-blockers demonstrated unexpected activity against diseases outside of the cardiovascular system, including CNS disorders, diabetes, cancer and anticancer therapeutics-associated organ toxicities. Furthermore, due to the newly discovered function of β-adrenergic receptors in immunity, β-blockers could be used as immunomodulators. For example, the β-adrenergic receptor non-selective β-blocker carvedilol demonstrated a protective role against the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin-induced renal toxicity and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The pharmacological properties that a β-blocker exhibits outside of the cardiovascular system may be independent of their β-blocking activity. Therefore, the goal of this research topic is to review updated preclinical and clinical evidence regarding β-blockers in diseases outside of the cardiovascular system. This information is essential for repurposing these FDA-approved drugs for other diseases and for identification of novel mechanisms other than the β-adrenergic receptor blockade.

Potential topics for mini-reviews include, but are not limited to:

• The effects of β-blockers on cancer progression

• The effects of β-blockers on inflammatory disorders

• The effects of β-blockers on chemotherapies induced cardiotoxicity

• The effects of β-blockers on cancer chemoprevention

• The effects of β-blockers on drug resistance to anticancer therapies

• Neuroprotective effects of β-blockers

• β-blockers for Alzheimer's diseases