Benefits of β-blockers in cancer treatment

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Researchers keep attempting to develop therapy modalities to decrease the mortality and morbidity of cancer patients by trying to comprehend the effect of sympathetic nerves (through catecholamine and adrenergic receptors) in cancer development. Catecholamine activation in β-adrenergic receptors (β1-AR, β2-AR, and β3-AR) may influence cytokine and cancer immunity system, initiate tumorigenesis, stimulate tumor-associated macrophage and angiogenesis, influence tumor microenvironment, and facilitate cancer cell metastasis, leading to increased progressivity of cancer cells. β-blockers may inhibit catecholamine on β-AR and various types of paths needed for cancer cells to develop. β-blockers also stimulate cancer cell apoptosis, decrease pro-inflammatory mediators and growth factors of cancer cells. In addition, β-blockers also have benefits as supplementary cancer therapy, increase chemoradiotherapy sensitivity, decrease cardiotoxicity, and improve cancer cachexia. The benefits of β-blockers are expected to reduce morbidity and increase the survival rates of cancer patients. This review comprehensively assesses the benefit of β-blockers as a part of the complete management of cancer patients. Copyright © 2023 Via Medica.