Tropisetron Suppresses Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer by Blocking Interleukin 33 Expression

Chronic inflammation is an established risk factor for cancer development. Interleukin 33
(IL-33) cytokine has been identified as a key initiator of cancer-prone chronic inflammation.
Herein, we demonstrate that tropisetron can serve as a safe and effective medication
to prevent chronic inflammation and its cancer sequela. Screening a large collection of
FDA-approved drugs reveals that tropisetron, which is commonly used to prevent and
treat nausea, effectively suppresses IL-33 expression by reducing IRF3 phosphorylation.
Tropisetron-mediated IL-33 suppression provides a novel strategy to prevent and treat
pancreatic cancer and perhaps other cancers associated with chronic inflammation.