Dalhousie Medical School researchersare investigating how common over-the-counter drugs used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders might enhance the body’s immune system and ability to fight off cancer.

While a number of medications can modify immune function to enhance anti-cancer immunity, many of them can’t be used routinely because of negative side effects. But the Dalhousie team has found two everyday medications – ranitidine and famotidine – that reduce breast cancer growth and metastasis in mouse models.

“The immune system plays an important role in defending against cancer,” says Dr. Jean Marshall, professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the study’s principal investigator. “It can both reduce the incidence of initial tumour development and slow down or prevent cancer spread.”

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Working alongside Dr. Marshall are Dr. Lisa Barrett, viral immunologist and assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Dr. Paola Marignani, professor in the department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and associate professor in the department of Pathology.

Read the full article at https://medicine.dal.ca/news/2016/06/29/common_over_the_counter_meds_show_signs_of_boosting_anti_cancer_immunity.html