Using Existing Drugs in New Ways to Treat & Cure Diseases of Brain & Body | Dr. David Fajgenbaum - Huberman Lab Recap

Podcast: Huberman Lab

Published: 2025-11-03

Duration: 1 hr 59 min

Summary

In this episode, Dr. David Fajgenbaum discusses the potential of repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs to treat various diseases, emphasizing that many effective treatments are overlooked due to the limitations of how medications are studied and categorized. He shares his personal journey with a rare disease and the mission behind his nonprofit, Every Cure.

What Happened

Dr. David Fajgenbaum shares a deeply personal story about his battle with Castleman's disease, a condition he was told was terminal after exhausting all treatment options. During a heart-wrenching moment with his family, he realized that despite being told there were no further options, he believed in the potential of existing drugs. He reflected, 'You just gave me seven chemotherapies that were made for lymphoma and multimyeloma, and they've saved my life now three times.' This realization sparked his journey to explore how other FDA-approved drugs might be used to help not just him, but countless others facing similar challenges.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Fajgenbaum discusses the importance of agency in healthcare. He emphasizes that patients should not be passive in their treatment journeys but instead actively seek out information and advocate for themselves. He points out that while there are approximately 4,000 FDA-approved drugs, many of these have untapped potential in treating other diseases. His efforts through his laboratory and the nonprofit, Every Cure, aim to uncover these possibilities and guide patients in discovering treatments that may be overlooked by traditional medicine.

Key Insights

• Many effective treatments for diseases are overlooked because of how medications are studied and approved.
• Patients should actively participate in their healthcare decisions and explore all treatment options.
• Existing drugs can have multiple uses, often effective in conditions for which they were not originally approved.
• Dr. Fajgenbaum's personal experience led him to advocate for the use of already approved drugs in new ways.

Key Questions Answered

What inspired Dr. David Fajgenbaum to explore repurposing drugs?

Dr. Fajgenbaum's inspiration came from a devastating moment when he was told by his doctor that they were out of options to treat his terminal illness. Despite this grim diagnosis, he recalled that several chemotherapies had previously saved his life, prompting him to question why there couldn't be more drugs that might help. He reflected, 'If these seven chemotherapies are working, how do we know there's not an eighth chemotherapy or a ninth drug for something else?' This realization pushed him to explore the possibility of existing drugs being used in new ways.

How does Dr. Fajgenbaum suggest patients take charge of their health?

Dr. Fajgenbaum emphasizes the importance of patient agency in healthcare. He encourages individuals facing serious health challenges to actively seek out information, question their doctors, and research potential treatments. He advises patients to connect with disease advocacy organizations and experts who might be aware of alternative treatment options that are not commonly known. This proactive approach can empower patients to explore all possible avenues for their health.

What is the mission of Every Cure?

Every Cure is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Fajgenbaum aimed at helping people find treatments and cures for diseases that are often considered untreatable. The organization focuses on the concept that many existing drugs can be repurposed to address various health conditions. By educating both patients and medical professionals about these possibilities, Every Cure seeks to save lives by broadening the understanding of how existing medications can be utilized.

What are some examples of drugs that have been repurposed?

Dr. Fajgenbaum shares examples of commonly known medications that have been repurposed for different conditions, highlighting aspirin and Viagra. He notes that aspirin is not only used for heart health but can also reduce the risk of recurrence in colon cancer, particularly in patients with specific mutations. Similarly, Viagra has been repurposed to treat a rare pediatric lung disease, allowing children with insufficient blood flow to their lungs to lead full lives. These instances illustrate the potential of existing drugs to provide unexpected benefits.

Why do many effective treatments go unnoticed in the medical community?

Dr. Fajgenbaum explains that many effective treatments remain unknown due to the way medications are studied, patented, and categorized. He stresses that the medical profession often has a blind spot regarding the versatility of existing drugs, as they are typically approved for only one or two specific uses. This can lead to a lack of awareness among doctors about how these medications might be effective for other conditions, not because of negligence, but due to the limitations inherent in the medical system.