Amlodipine Shows Promise as Immunomodulator in Cancer Therapy

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications in Nanjing, People's Republic of China, have discovered that amlodipine, a widely used antihypertensive medication, has immunomodulatory effects that can enhance dendritic cell maturation and anti-tumor immunity. The study, published in Molecular Therapy, found that amlodipine promotes DC maturation, increases CD80 and CD86 expression, and upregulates genes related to T cell activation. When administered in conjunction with chemotherapy, amlodipine resulted in the activation of CD8 T cells, elevated serum levels of cytokines, and the inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amlodipine, an antihypertensive medication, has immunomodulatory effects that can enhance dendritic cell maturation and anti-tumor immunity.
  • The study found that amlodipine promotes DC maturation, evidenced by increased CD80 and CD86 expression and upregulation of genes like CCL4 and Saa3 related to T cell activation.
  • When administered in conjunction with indocyanine green or doxorubicin therapy, amlodipine resulted in the activation of CD8 T cells, elevated serum levels of cytokines, and the inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis.
  • The study suggests a promising avenue for future cancer immunotherapy strategies and warrants further investigation in clinical trials.
  • The research was conducted by Xinxuan Huang and colleagues at the Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
  • The study's findings have implications for the development of new cancer therapies that combine immunomodulatory agents with chemotherapy.

Statistics:

  • 4T1 breast cancer and CT26 colon cancer murine models were used to study the effects of amlodipine-chemotherapy combination therapy.
  • CD8 T cells were activated in mice treated with amlodipine-chemotherapy combination therapy.
  • Elevated serum levels of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor a, interferon-g, and interleukin-12 were observed in mice treated with amlodipine-chemotherapy combination therapy.
  • The upregulation of CD8 effector memory T cells was observed in mice treated with amlodipine-chemotherapy combination therapy.

Sources:

  • Amlodipine as an immunomodulator to enhance dendritic cell activation in cancer therapy with tumor-associated antigens. Molecular Therapy, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Recent Studies from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications Add New Data to Cancer (Amlodipine as an immunomodulator to enhance dendritic cell activation in cancer therapy with tumor-associated antigens). Immunotherapy Weekly. August 27, 2025; p 2414.