Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease are not generally thought to be related, but University of Louisville researcher Levi Beverly, Ph.D. has noted that there are more similarities than we may have previously thought.

While studying a gene family called Ubiquilins, Beverly noticed that while the gene family is lost in human lung cancers, Ubiquilin2 is mutated and is a driving gene in familial early-onset ALS. With this fact in mind, Beverly found that the Ubiquilin gene family was primarily studied in relation to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease and ALS. Hence, Beverly decided to delve into this inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

So, does this indicate that cancer survivors are less likely to develop neurodegenerative disorders? Current research suggests that the treatment of cancer patients with chemotherapies may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease later in life. Many studies have used cancer drugs in mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease, with some delaying progression of the disease. However, much more research must be done before any conclusion can be drawn as to why cancer survivors may be less likely to have Alzheimer’s Disease.

As for a drug that could treat both conditions, Beverly explains that this may be possible: “While a drug to treat both cancer and neurodegenerative disorders does not currently exist, it could be a possibility. Cancer is a disease of too much growth and cell survival, whereas neurodegeneration is too much cell death. Such a drug would need to restore Ubiquilin function in order to effectively treat the two conditions, which are at two opposite ends of the spectrum,” Beverly explains.

Currently, there are not many scientists researching the similarities between the two diseases. This is due, in part, to the fact that it is not common to be an expert in both cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Beverly, for instance, has worked in cancer biology for 25 years. Only recently has he started to research neurodegenerative disorders. This, Beverly explains, is why collaborations are so important.

“Collaborations between experts in both areas are the key to bridging the gap between the two very different conditions. However, there also arises a difficulty in receiving funding. Because cancer and neurodegeneration are very different, funding for researching this inverse relationship can be very hard to come by,” Beverly explains, “Moving forward, despite these obstacles, it is my hope that scientists from both fields keep their eyes open and don’t discount the similarities of these two diseases.”

In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the ULSOM commends Dr. Levi Beverly and his dedication to researching the inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegeneration. We remain excited to learn more about Beverly’s research and the future of these two conditions.