Elucidating the Role of Incidental Use of Beta Blockers in Patients with Metastatic Brain Tumors in Controlling Tumor Progression and Survivability

Introduction: Beta adrenergic antagonists have demonstrated beneficial effects in tumor progression and survivability in patients with various cancers by inhibiting nor-epinephrine–induced tumor cell migration. However, little is known about their effects on the outcomes of metastatic brain tumors (MBTs).

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of β-blockers on the outcome of MBTs and their possible role in controlling tumor progression and survivability.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 225 patients identified as having metastatic brain tumors presenting to our institution from 2001 through 2013 was conducted by reviewing electronic patient records. Patients were categorized into the following three groups: group A as hypertensive on β-blockers (40, 18%), group B comprised hypertensive patients on anti-hypertensive medications other than β antagonists (65, 29%), and group C comprised normotensives (120, 53%). All outcomes were compared using the data on pre- and postgamma knife radiosurgery for these groups. One-way ANNOVA was used to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes in the patient population following β-blockers usage in group A versus group B and group C. Cox regression model was used to demonstrate prognostic factors for the outcome in patients having different primaries. Overall survival period was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier test. The log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test was used to analyze the survival difference in the cases. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age of patients was 57.34 ± 10.98 years (range, 30–87 years) and 44% were males. Overall, 58% (130/225) of patients' with MBT had their primary tumor source in the lung, 16% in the breast, 7% each in the kidneys, and the rectum. Frontal lobe was the most commonly affected (80, 35.5%). Statistically significant control of tumor growth (p = 0.001), tumor progression (p = 0.0001), and higher survival outcomes (p = 0.015) were observed in group A as compared with other groups. In comparing the different groups, breast primaries showed the strongest correlation to survival benefit (p = 0.049).

Conclusion: Concomitant use of β-blockers with conventional therapy may offer potential benefit to hypertensive patients developing MBTs by ameliorating tumor progression and conferring a survival advantage. This effect was most notable in patients with primary tumors originating in the breast. Our study is limited in size and design; prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted to further explore this promising effect.