HIV drug could kill cancer cells

Scientists have discovered that a drug used by HIV patients may also kill cancer cells.

Researchers at the US National Cancer Institute are conducting trials with nelfinavir, an HIV protese inhibitor, in a phase one trial involving cancer patients after the drug was shown to block Akt, a protein that is essential for the development of various types of cancer.

In experiments with mice, nelfinavir caused cancer cells to self-destruct or become stressed to the point of dying, said the report, published in the September issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

Speaking to Forbes, lead researcher Dr Phillip A Dennis, said: "This could be a new approach to finding cancer drugs and cut the time for getting them approved.

"Repositioning drugs that are already FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approved could accelerate the development of new cancer therapies."

"If nelfinavir is proven effective in fighting cancer, it would, most likely, be used in combination with other cancer drugs," he added.