Research led by Ke Jian Liu, a pathology professor at Stony Brook University, might pave the way for new treatments for hemorrhagic stroke using existing cancer drugs. Supported by a $2.6 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Liu aims to repurpose FDA-approved protein kinase inhibitors for stroke treatment by leveraging their effects on zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) formation, a neurotoxic compound linked to brain damage during hemorrhagic strokes.
Liu's research suggests that targeting ZnPP production through the inhibition of an enzyme known as ferrochelatase may reduce brain injuries. "We think that this discovery opens new avenues for drug therapeutic intervention to treat hemorrhagic stroke," Liu stated.
Hemorrhagic strokes, which account for about 13 percent of all strokes according to the American Stroke Association, involve bleeding into the brain and are a significant cause of death and disability. Despite extensive studies, the exact mechanisms of brain damage from these strokes remain poorly understood.
Through animal models, Liu's team has already demonstrated the ability of protein kinase inhibitors to lessen brain injury and enhance neurological outcomes following hemorrhagic stroke. Further, they identified that these inhibitors might reduce the neurotoxic effects by targeting the enzyme responsible for ZnPP production.
Liu's investigation into kinase inhibitors, which include 82 FDA-approved small-molecule drugs for cancers like leukemia and breast cancer, highlights their potential beyond cancer treatment. Moving forward, Liu believes this approach could deepen the understanding of stroke-related brain injuries and lead to potential human trials if safety and efficacy are established in experimental models. "We connected the dots and began testing some FDA-approved kinase inhibitors, which validated our speculation with ferrochelatase," he explained.
If successful, Liu's work could facilitate rapid human trials since the inhibitors are already FDA-approved, bypassing some drug toxicity studies. This research could offer stroke patients new hope through innovative treatments developed from existing cancer drugs.