Treatments licensed for other illnesses
Research is sometimes carried out to see if treatments licensed for a particular illness may be beneficial in treating different illnesses. You should never start taking a new medication without discussing it with your healthcare team first.
Please note that NICE does not recommend these medicines for the treatment of brain tumours. Before trying any new medications or treatments you should discuss your plans with your healthcare team.
Make the right choices for you
Our Step by Step interactive guide outlines what happens following a diagnosis, to answer your questions and help you to understand what to expect.
Accessing unlicensed drugs
Find out how to access promising drugs that aren't yet licensed for brain tumours.
Afatinib (Giotrif®)
Afatinib is a targeted cancer treatment drug used to treat lung cancer.
Antineoplaston therapy
An alternative and controversial cancer therapy available in America.
Aspirin
There has been some research into liquid aspirin and brain tumours.
Bevacizumab
There are currently some clinical trials in patients with high grade gliomas.
Celecoxib (Celebrex®)
Celecoxib is a type of drug known as “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs).
Clomipramine
The use of anti-depressant clomipramine in treating brain tumours is debated.
Herbal & homeopathic remedies
Always consult your healthcare team before taking any alternative medicines.
Isotretinoin
Clinical trials with isotretinoin did not show any benefit to brain tumour patients.
Lapatinib
Lapatinib is used in women with breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body.
Levetiracetam
An epilepsy drug that can prevent seizures from happening, also known as Keppra®.
Losartan
There are currently ongoing trials in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Metformin
Metformin has been used in a clinical trial for children who've had radiotherapy.
PDE5 inhibitors
Research is investigating whether existing drugs could be used in cancer treatment.
Tasadenoturev (DNX-2401)
A clinical trial is in progress for children with Diffuse Midline Glioma.