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During a Monday press conference about various autism topics , federal health officials noted the potential for an existing cancer drug to double as therapy for the neurodevelopmental condition.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz discussed research suggesting that leucovorin, a prescription vitamin used to treat cancer and anemia, is effective in off-label use for children with autism.

The FDA plans to approve prescription leucovorin as a "potential treatment for speech-related deficits associated with ASD," according to a press release from HHS. The agency will update the label for leucovorin

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