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A University of Birmingham study suggests the popular rave drug ecstasy might be effective in treating cancer, the London Daily Mirror reported Wednesday.
The five-year study found ecstasy and many other drugs used as anti-depressants -- including prozac -- have properties that stop cancer cells from growing.

The drugs, which all fall under the category of psychotropics, might have application in the treatment of lymphoma cancers, including leukemia, which prevent the body from fighting infections. Researchers said the drugs slowed or stopped cell growth in more than half of 17 lymphoma cancer patients.

"We think that a range of psychotropic agents that are being used, or sometimes abused for other reasons, will now help us in our fight against all different types of cancer," said lead researcher John Gordon, from the University of Birmingham's Medical School.

"This is quite a breakthrough in medical research into the treatment of lymphoma cancers, including some types of leukemia," he added. "The success of anti-depressants on slowing down the cancer is very exciting."

The scientists said anti-depressants might be prescribed to treat cancer almost immediately, but further research is needed before ecstasy could be used.

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