Drugs designed to halt cancer growth may offer a new way to control high blood pressure. In one study, Georgetown University Medical Center researchers found that manipulating fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), could offer insights for developing new drugs to lower blood pressure.

The study focused on a protein called FGGBI, which modulates FGFs. The gene that regulates FGF is known as FGF binding protein 1 (FGFBP1).

Using a mouse model in which FGFBP1 can be switched on or off, the researchers noted that switching it made blood pressure rise.

“The reading actually went up [30 mmHg] from a normal blood pressure to pretty hypertension,” said lead author Dr. Anton Wellstein, adding, “It was amazing.”

“It’s rare that a single class of drugs can be used for such different conditions, but that is what our study strongly suggests,” he added, referring to the study, which is published in the journal Hypertension.