NCRI 2016 | Challenges of drug repurposing

Robert Coleman, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPE of Sheffield Cancer Research, University of Sheffield, UK discusses issues with drug repurposing. Most drug development is supported by the pharmaceutical industry for commercial reasons, which is rarely possible for drug repurposing. Promising drugs are not licensed in the indication and clinicians cannot prescribe bisphosphonates without a licence. Dr Coleman highlights the case of bisphosphonates, which are used to treat osteoporosis and have a very powerful effect on breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women. Recorded at the 2016 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference in Liverpool, UK.