Drugs Used to Treat Hypertension Show Potential Against Ovarian Cancer

Blocking α1-adrenergic receptors reduces ovarian cancer cell viability and slows tumor growth in preclinical models, according to research by the Gynecology and Peritoneal Oncology Research Group at the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau). The findings open a potential avenue for exploring the repurposing of drugs already used to treat other conditions.

The study was presented by Mireia Escar, a researcher with the Gynecology and Peritoneal Oncology Research Group at IR Sant Pau, at the ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2026, held June 17–19 in Copenhagen. This international meeting brings together specialists in gynecologic cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.

The study examined the potential of several quinazoline-derived α1-adrenergic receptor blockers, including prazosin, doxazosin, and cyclazosin. Some of these drugs are currently used to treat high blood pressure or certain urinary problems associated with benign prostate enlargement.

“Our findings indicate that blocking these receptors can directly affect tumor cell survival and reduce tumor growth. Although we are still at the preclinical stage, the data support the need for further research into this pathway in ovarian cancer,” explains Mireia Escar.

A Less-Studied Pathway in Cancer

Adrenergic receptors allow cells to respond to hormones and neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. To date, much of the research into their relationship with cancer has focused on β-adrenergic receptors. By contrast, the role of signaling mediated by α1-adrenergic receptors is far less understood.

To study this pathway, the team evaluated both the activation and blockade of these receptors in different ovarian cancer cell models. The experiments showed that activating the receptors could promote the proliferation of certain tumor cells, while blocking them with α1 antagonists reduced cell viability and induced a significant cytotoxic effect.

The researchers subsequently studied prazosin in an animal model. Prazosin is one of the α1 blockers analyzed and a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure. In mice with ovarian cancer xenografts—a model in which human tumor cells are implanted to analyze their behavior—the treatment reduced both tumor growth and final tumor weight compared with the control group.

“α1-adrenergic signaling has received far less attention than other pathways associated with the stress response. Observing effects in both cells and an animal model provides a basis for investigating the underlying mechanisms in greater depth and determining which tumors may be more sensitive to this approach,” says Mireia Escar.

The Potential of Drug Repurposing

Drug repurposing involves investigating whether a drug developed or approved for one disease could be useful against another. This strategy may facilitate some stages of therapeutic development because previous information is already available on the characteristics and safety of certain compounds. However, their potential use against ovarian cancer would still require further preclinical studies followed by clinical trials.

“Working with well-known drugs offers an interesting opportunity, but we must remain cautious. The next step is to better understand how they act on tumor cells, identify the settings in which they may be most effective, and generate sufficient evidence before considering their evaluation in patients,” the researcher emphasizes.

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecologic cancers, partly because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and many patients eventually develop resistance to treatment. In this context, identifying new biological vulnerabilities could contribute to the future development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

The findings presented are still preclinical and do not demonstrate that these drugs are effective against ovarian cancer in patients. Nevertheless, they provide initial evidence supporting further research into α1-adrenergic receptors as a potential therapeutic target.