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Methadone can be used to treat leukemia

May 8, 2009

Synthetic opioid methadone, used in several countries for treatment of severe drug addiction, is effective in some forms of leukemia. German scientists have found that methadone therapy stimulates the death of tumor cells, including those resistant to chemotherapy and radiation.

The basis of methadone treatment of drug addiction is the ability of the substance in contact with the opioid receptors of the brain. Recent studies have shown that opioid receptors also exist on the surface of certain cancer cells, in particular, LEUKEMIC CELLS.

Scientists from the University of Ulm (University Ulm) tested the effect of different doses of methadone on the T-lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines, human myeloid leukemia, as well as normal blood cells. It was found that the use of high doses of methadone (30 mikromol per liter) leads to the destruction of virtually all tumor cells - including those resistant to conventional chemotherapy - within 48 hours. At the same time, healthy blood cells are not affected, said study leader Claudia Friesen (Claudia Friesen).

According to researchers, the effect of methadone associated with exposure to the mitochondria LEUKEMIC cells and activation of specific enzymes - caspases. These enzymes stimulate apoptosis - programmed cell death, said Friesen.

The researchers noted that, initially, in the experiments used the high single dose of methadone, a potentially toxic to humans. However, subsequent experiments have shown that daily use of methadone in the lower doses may have a similar effect. At present, scientists plan to begin trials of methadone therapy in animals, Friesen added.

Written by Samanta · Filed Under Pharmacy Industry News