Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 19, 2026 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: Old Alcoholism Drug Gains New Hope in Cancer Treatment
Scientists have discovered that disulfiram, a decades old drug originally used to treat alcoholism, can become far more powerful against brain tumors when combined with copper. This unexpected combination appears to significantly improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and may offer new hope for patients battling aggressive and often fatal brain cancers. Researchers found that when disulfiram binds with copper inside the body, it forms a compound that directly attacks tumor cells and weakens their defenses. This process makes cancer cells far more vulnerable to existing chemotherapy drugs, which often struggle to penetrate and destroy brain tumors completely. Brain cancers such as glioblastoma are especially difficult to treat because tumor cells develop resistance to therapy, allowing them to survive and regrow even after aggressive treatment.
How Copper Transforms Disulfiram into a Cancer Fighter
Disulfiram by itself has limited anti-cancer activity, but copper dramatically changes its behavior. When activated by copper, disulfiram forms molecules that disrupt critical systems inside tumor cells, including their ability to produce energy and manage toxic stress. Cancer cells depend heavily on these systems to survive, and when they collapse, the cells begin to die. This
Medical News report highlights that copper activated disulfiram also interferes with cancer stem cells, which are believed to be responsible for tumor recurrence and resistance. By targeting these stubborn cells, the treatment may help prevent tumors from returning after chemotherapy. Researchers observed that the copper disulfiram complex increases oxidative stress within tumor cells, overwhelming their protective mechanisms and triggering cell death while leaving normal healthy cells less affected.
Improving Chemotherapy Effectiveness and Overcoming Resistance
One of the biggest challenges in brain cancer treatment is chemotherapy resistance. Tumor cells often adapt and develop survival strategies, making traditional chemotherapy less effective over time. The copper disulfiram combination appears to break through these defenses by blocking the cellular pathways that cancer cells use to protect themselves. Studies showed that when chemotherapy was used alongside copper activated disulfiram, tumor killing effects were significantly enhanced compared to chemotherapy alone. This suggests that the combination therapy could potentially allow doctors to use lower doses of toxic chemotherapy drugs while achieving better results. Lower chemotherapy doses could also reduce harmful side effects, improving patient quality of life during treatment.
Ability to Cross the Brain Protective Barrier Offers Key Advantage
Another major advantage of disulfiram is its ability to cross the blood brain barrier, a protective shield that prevents many drugs from reaching the brain. This barrier often limits the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Disulfiram’s ability to penetrate this barrier allows it to reach tumor sites directly, making it especially valuable for treating brain cancers. When combined with copper, its tumor targeting abilities are amplified even further. This unique characteristic makes copper activated disulfiram a promising candidate for future brain cancer therapies, especially for aggressive tumors that have limited treatment options.
Future Potential and Ongoing Research
Researchers believe this discovery could open the door to new treatment strategies using existing approved drugs. Because disulfiram
is already widely used and well understood in terms of safety, its repurposing for cancer treatment could move forward faster than entirely new drugs. Clinical trials are expected to further evaluate its effectiveness and determine the best dosing strategies. If successful, this approach could offer a more accessible and affordable treatment option for brain cancer patients worldwide.
The study findings were published in a peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/4/1966
For the latest research on glioblastoma or any other brain cancers, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cancer
Medical Disclaimer: All content published by Thailand Medical News is based on scientific research and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers must not attempt to use, apply, or experiment with any protocols, compounds, or therapies mentioned without first consulting a qualified and licensed medical doctor. Many findings discussed are experimental or preliminary, and only a licensed healthcare professional can determine what is safe and appropriate for an individual’s specific medical condition.
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