Drug Repurposing for the Management of Depression: Where Do We Stand Currently?

Hosna Mohammad Sadeghi,Marzieh Daniali,Taraneh Mousavi,Shekoufeh Nikfar,Ida Adeli,Mohammad Abdollahi

doi:10.3390/life11080774

Hosna Mohammad Sadeghi, Marzieh Daniali + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/life11080774

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Journal: Life	Publication Date: Jul 30, 2021
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

A slow rate of new drug discovery and higher costs of new drug development attracted the attention of scientists and physicians for the repurposing and repositioning of old medications. Experimental studies and off-label use of drugs have helped drive data for further studies of approving these medications. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of depression encourages novel discoveries through drug repurposing and drug repositioning to treat depression. In addition to reducing neurotransmitters like epinephrine and serotonin, other mechanisms such as inflammation, insufficient blood supply, and neurotoxicants are now considered as the possible involved mechanisms. Considering the mentioned mechanisms has resulted in repurposed medications to treat treatment-resistant depression (TRD) as alternative approaches. This review aims to discuss the available treatments and their progress way during repositioning. Neurotransmitters’ antagonists, atypical antipsychotics, and CNS stimulants have been studied for the repurposing aims. However, they need proper studies in terms of formulation, matching with regulatory standards, and efficacy.

Highlights

Despite the high rate of technological progress and improvements in knowledge of different diseases, the discovery of new medications demonstrated a lower speed [1]
To apply a drug repositioning strategy, three main steps are needed to be concluded; first, a molecule/substance should be suggested for the mentioned indication; second, preclinical models, including animal and computational models, should be assessed and last the efficacy of medication should be analyzed [5]
Various mechanisms have been associated with the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), and these mechanisms directly influence medication selection

Summary

Introduction

Despite the high rate of technological progress and improvements in knowledge of different diseases, the discovery of new medications demonstrated a lower speed [1]. Called drug repurposing or re-tasking, is a promising strategy to introduce new indications for other therapeutic goals for an available drug in the market [3]. Since the safety profile of these medications was studied thoroughly before, the development of their formulation has been analyzed, and the medicines successfully passed the preclinical and clinical steps, the risk of failure decreases significantly [4]. To apply a drug repositioning strategy, three main steps are needed to be concluded; first, a molecule/substance should be suggested for the mentioned indication; second, preclinical models, including animal and computational models, should be assessed and last the efficacy of medication should be analyzed [5]. Due to the insufficient therapeutic response of patients to the available medications, the need for new medicines has attracted scientists worldwide [7]. This review aims to provide a complete insight into the drug repositioning strategy, especially the candidates that could be beneficial in managing MDD

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Conclusion