Scientists have found treatment with tamoxifen combats MRSA bacteria, which are resistant to most other medicines.
The drug targets the oestrogen receptor making it particularly effective against breast cancers.
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It is taken daily by hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.
The study’s author Professor Victor Nizet said: “The threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria is growing, yet the pipeline of new antibiotics is drying up.
While known for its efficacy against breast cancer cells, many other cell types are also exposed to tamoxifen
“We need to open the medicine cabinet and take a cloyer look at the potential infection-fighting properties of other drugs that we already know are safe for patients.”
Trials on mice showed that while those infected with MRSA all died after one day, 35 per cent of those also given tamoxifen were still alive after five days.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Breast Cancer Symptoms, Signs and Types
Professor Nizet added: “While known for its efficacy against breast cancer cells, many other cell types are also exposed to tamoxifen.”
He added that the benefits of the drug could have huge implications given the large number of people who take it daily.
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