Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) have made a groundbreaking discovery that two medications typically used for osteoporosis, etidronate and tiludronate, may also be effective in treating diseases associated with iron overload. In laboratory tests conducted on human cells, these drugs were found to bind to excess iron, significantly reducing oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage. This finding could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of conditions related to iron accumulation, which affects various organs and can lead to serious health issues.

Currently, there are only three approved medications for iron overload treatment known as chelators, which work by binding to iron and facilitating its elimination from the body. However, these traditional treatments often come with significant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, leading to challenges in patient adherence. Breno Pannia Espósito, professor at the Institute of Chemistry at USP and author of the study, emphasized the potential of these osteoporosis drugs to provide a more tolerable alternative for patients suffering from iron overload disorders.

The research, which is part of a master's thesis by Julia Tiemy Leal Konno, who is funded by Fapesp and supervised by Espósito, represents a promising step forward in the field of treatment for iron overload diseases. As studies continue, further clinical validation will be necessary to confirm these findings and potentially pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.