Dr. Hsiao-Huei Chen and her team discovered that a drug used to treat skin cancer reduced brain damage after stroke in animal models. While a lack of blood flow that supplies oxygen and nutrients is the first thing to kill brain cells after a stroke, collateral damage from immune cells trying to clean up the mess (inflammation) can be just as bad.

One molecule involved in cell death and inflammation is RIPK. A drug currently used to treat skin cancer called dabrafenib blocks the action of RIPK3. Dr. Chen’s team found that giving mice dabrafenib 1 hour after a stroke significantly reduced the size of the damaged area of the brain.

The team’s molecular test results suggest that dabrafenib is working to reduce inflammation after the stroke. Future animal studies will test whether this drug can lead to better recovery.