Does propranolol have a role in cancer treatment? - A systematic review of the epidemiological and clinical trial literature on beta-blockers

Sep 23, 2026

Beta-blockers developed for cardiovascular use have been investigated as potential cancer therapies, with propranolol drawing attention for inhibiting stress-linked signalling pathways tied to tumour progression. This systematic review evaluates repurposing evidence for propranolol across cancers, focusing on whether it improves outcomes such as survival and recurrence, especially in breast cancer. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science and Cochrane searches included studies up to July 2024.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Study search strategy

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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2025) 151:212 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06262-2](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06262-2) REVIEW Does propranolol have a role in cancer treatment? A systematic review of the epidemiological and clinical trial literature on beta-blockers Jessica O’Logbon2,1 · Ludovica Tarantola3 · Norman R. Williams4 · Shreeya Mehta2 · Aamir Ahmed3,5,6 · Elizabeth A. Davies7 Received: 10 May 2025 / Accepted: 25 June 2025 © The Author(s) 2025 Abstract Purpose Beta-blockers, originally developed for cardiovascular conditions, have been explored for their potential role in cancer treatment. Propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, has shown promise in inhibiting stress-induced signalling pathways associated with cancer progression. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence for the repurposing of propranolol as a treatment for various cancers, particularly breast cancer to answer the research question: Does propranolol improve cancer outcomes, including survival and recurrence? Methods We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, including studies up to July 2024. Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were included if they assessed the effects of propranolol on cancer outcomes such as mortality, survival, recurrence, or biomarkers of tumour regression. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarise the findings. Results Thirty-one studies were included, consisting of 7 RCTs, 4 systematic reviews and 20 meta-analyses. The evidence suggests that propranolol may improve cancer outcomes, especially when administered perioperatively, by reducing recurrence risk. However, the results remain inconclusive regarding its use in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as studies showed mixed results. The timing of propranolol administration, alongside its combination with other cancer therapies, appears to be a key factor in its effectiveness. Conclusion Propranolol has potential as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment, particularly in reducing recurrence risk during the perioperative period. However, further clinical trials are needed to better define its role in cancer therapy, particularly regarding optimal treatment regimens and patient populations. Keywords Beta-blockers · Propranolol · Cancer treatment · Systematic reviews · Repurposing Introduction The lengthy process of developing new cancer therapies maybe expedited through drug repurposing or repositioning, which involves identifying new therapeutic applications for 􀀍 Jessica O’Logbon [j.ologbon@nhs.net](j.ologbon@nhs.net) 1 Guy’s and St. Thomas’NHS Trust, St Thomas’Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK 2 GKT School of Medical Education, Guy’s Campus, Great Maze Pond London, London SE1 1UL, UK 3 Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, 28 Floor Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK existing medications (Issa et al. 2013; Xia et al. 2024) . One example is rapamycin (also known as sirolimus), approved in 1999, which was initially developed as an immunosuppressant to prevent rejection in kidney transplant patients (Tanaka et al. 1987) . The biological target of rapamycin is 4 Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, 43-45 Foley, London W1W 7TY, UK 5 Oncolodyne Ltd., Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6DE, UK 6 Cell and Developmental Biology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6DE, UK 7 Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 3rd Floor Bermondsey Wing, Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London, London SE1 7LB, UK 1 3 the eponymous mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a key pathway that regulates cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism.

FAQs

What is the main research question of this systematic review?

Whether propranolol improves cancer outcomes, including survival and recurrence, across different cancer types, with particular attention to breast cancer.

Which databases and study types were included?

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to July 2024, including randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses assessing mortality, survival, recurrence, or tumour regression biomarkers.

What do the results suggest about propranolol’s effectiveness?

The evidence suggests propranolol may improve cancer outcomes, especially when given perioperatively to reduce recurrence risk, while evidence remains inconclusive for use combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy due to mixed findings.

Sep 23, 2026

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