Overview

• Researchers at UCLA discovered that SSRIs, widely used antidepressants, reduced tumor size by over 50% in preclinical models of multiple cancer types.
• The study revealed that SSRIs reinvigorate killer T cells by increasing their access to serotonin signals, enhancing their ability to attack cancer cells.
• Combining SSRIs with immune checkpoint inhibitors further improved treatment outcomes, achieving complete remission in some preclinical cases.
• The team plans to analyze real-world data from cancer patients already taking SSRIs and launch clinical trials to evaluate their therapeutic potential.
• Repurposing SSRIs for cancer treatment offers a cost-effective approach compared to developing new therapies, leveraging their established safety profile.