Drug repurposing identifies candidate uterus-selective tocolytics for preterm labor.

Drug repurposing uncovers 10 uterus-selective drugs, including fosaprepitant and ciclesonide, that inhibit preterm labor contractions with high therapeutic indices.

• Why it matters: Preterm labor lacks FDA-approved tocolytics, creating a critical need for safe, effective treatments to improve pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
• What they did: A high-throughput screen tested 1191 FDA-approved drugs for inhibiting uterine contractions, followed by counterscreens and ex vivo tests, identifying promising candidates and combinations.
• The result: Selected drugs delayed delivery, enhanced neonatal viability, and improved tissue maturation in mice, paving the way for further preclinical development of targeted preterm labor therapies.