A new study published in Nature Medicine has shown that the heart drug digoxin can help combat metastasis by reducing the size of tumor cell clusters, which are a major driver of cancer spread. In a week-long trial with nine breast cancer patients, low doses of digoxin significantly reduced cluster size, lowering the risk of metastases.
The drug works by blocking sodium-potassium pumps on cancer cell membranes, causing them to absorb more calcium and break apart. While digoxin isn’t a standalone cure, it offers a promising foundation for combination therapies.
Researchers now aim to develop new, more effective molecules inspired by digoxin’s mechanism and expand trials to other cancers.
