Topical retinoid drug Adapalene: A new frontier in cancer treatment

It is predicted that over 29 million individuals will receive a cancer diagnosis in 2040, making cancer one of the major causes of death globally. One of the biggest obstacles to being overcome in the treatment of cancer is drug resistance, which is mostly to blame for this high death rate. Research has therefore concentrated on developing new therapeutic tools, particularly those that enable individualized care based on the features of the patient. Although ensuring the quality of life for cancer patients has been a concern for the scientific community, attempts have been made to find alternatives to the creation of new pharmaceuticals since researchers are aware of the rising expenses associated with cancer therapy. The trend towards drug repurposing is growing as a strategy to accelerate drug development, utilizing the proven safety and effectiveness of existing approved drugs. The central theme of this review centered on exploring potential repurposed medications for treating cancer. The central theme of this review revolves around Adapalene, traditionally known for its acne treatment benefits, now being evaluated for its potential in cancer therapy. The latest details of Adapalene, a repurposed cancer therapeutic candidate, its therapeutic potential, Pharmacokinetic Profile, and the molecular interactions behind its anti-tumor efficacy are also included in this paper. In addition, medication combinations have also been covered here as a useful tactic to get around the restrictions associated with drug repurposing. The review concludes that drug repurposing represents one of the most promising approaches in cancer treatment and incorporating combination therapy can address challenges encountered in this field. Regarding drug repurposing, Adapalene has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating various types of cancer, including skin cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.