Beta blockade as adjunctive breast cancer therapy: A review

Pre-clinical data has shown that beta adrenergic stimulation can affect the development and progression of many types of cancer. The use of beta blockers as an anti-neoplastic therapy has been studied in retrospective trials and observational trials, but no definitive conclusions about efficacy have been made. Within the realm of breast cancer, significant advances in therapy have led to improved survival outcomes, yet there is room for improvement. Beta adrenergic blockade may prove an effective adjunct to standard breast cancer therapy, with little associated toxicity. This article provides a review of the published literature on beta blockade as an adjunctive cancer therapy, with a focus on breast cancer.