Drug repurposing is a strategy that aims to develop novel cancer treatments through the reuse of existing medicines developed in other disease areas. Such a strategy includes the identification of candidate drugs, clinical development, drug licensing, reimbursement and clinical implementation. This review outlines a literature-based approach to candidate selection with illustrative examples in osteosarcoma, pancreatic cancer and perioperative therapies. Key issues related to the development of clinical trials, drug licensing/approval and clinical adoption are explored to highlight some of the obstacles that must be overcome to successfully repurpose a drug as a new therapeutic option.

药物再利用是一种策略，旨在通过重复使用在其他疾病领域开发的现有药物来开发新的癌症治疗方法。这种策略包括候选药物的确定、临床开发、药物许可、报销和临床实施。本综述概述了一种基于文献的候选者选择方法，并举例说明了骨肉瘤、胰腺癌和围手术期治疗。探讨了与临床试验开发、药物许可/批准和临床采用相关的关键问题，以突出一些必须克服的障碍，才能成功地将药物重新用作新的治疗选择。