Researchers Repurposed Cancer Drugs Against Malaria
A study published on July 6, 2026, found that anti-cancer compounds can effectively eliminate malaria-causing parasites.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Cancer
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Researchers at the University of São Paulo discovered that 14 derivatives of an anti-cancer drug successfully killed P. falciparum parasites in laboratory cultures. The results, published on July 6, 2026, offer a potential new therapeutic pathway as parasites continue to develop resistance to standard treatments.
Why it matters
With malaria causing approximately 600,000 deaths in 2024 and parasites becoming resistant to drugs like chloroquine, identifying new targets is critical. Histone deacetylase enzymes emerged as effective therapeutic targets that could help overcome existing drug resistance.
Researchers tested 14 compounds derived from an antineoplastic drug, confirming they could eliminate P. falciparum during both asexual and gametocyte stages in laboratory cultures. Some compounds showed high selectivity for the parasite over human cells.
The players
University of São Paulo
This public research university located in Brazil hosted the team that conducted the study on anti-cancer drug derivatives.
The details
The study involved analyzing how specific changes in chemical structure influence the behavior and potency of each drug derivative. The team focused on targeting histone deacetylase enzymes to disrupt the parasite's life cycle, providing a foundation for designing increasingly selective molecules.
Timeline
Malaria caused approximately 600,000 deaths globally in 2024.
The research findings were officially published in ACS Omega on July 6, 2026.
Health Landscape
This research marks a significant departure from traditional malaria treatments, which have faced diminishing efficacy due to the historical precedent of parasite resistance to drugs like chloroquine. By repurposing cancer therapeutics, the study suggests a shift toward targeting fundamental enzymes to combat evolving pathogens.
These findings do not yet impact current treatment options, as the research is in an early in vitro stage. Future development of these compounds could eventually lead to new, more effective therapies for patients infected with drug-resistant malaria strains.
The takeaway
Repurposing existing drugs provides a faster route to identifying new treatments for neglected tropical diseases. Further study is required to ensure these specific molecules can be safely adapted for use in human medicine.
What happens next
Researchers intend to conduct further experiments to evaluate the stability of these compounds in human biological systems and will expand testing to include the Plasmodium vivax malaria species.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research in this field at the Cancer section.
More information
Review the full findings in the Published research paper in ACS Omega.
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Should medical research prioritize repurposing existing cancer drugs to treat other global diseases?
