Statins in oncological research: from experimental studies to clinical practice.

Abstract

Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors are commonly used drugs in the treatment of dyslipidemias, primarily raised cholesterol. Recently, many epidemiological and preclinical studies pointed to anti-tumor properties of statins, including anti-proliferative activities, apoptosis, decreased angiogenesis and metastasis. These processes play an important role in carcinogenesis and, therefore, the role of statins in cancer disease is being seriously discussed among oncologists. Anti-neoplastic properties of statins combined with an acceptable toxicity profile in the majority of individuals support their further development as anti-tumor drugs. The mechanism of action, current preclinical studies and clinical efficacy of statins are reviewed in this paper. Moreover, promising results have been reported regarding the statins' efficacy in some cancer types, especially in esophageal and colorectal cancers, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Statins' hepatotoxicity has traditionally represented an obstacle to the prescription of this class of drugs and this issue is also discussed in this review.

• Authors: Peter Kubatka, Peter Kruzliak, Vladimir Rotrekl, Sarka Jelinkova, Beata Mladosievicova
• Journal: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (Crit Rev Oncol Hematol) Vol. 92 Issue 3 Pg. 296-311 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1879-0461 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25220658 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Biomedical Research
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, etiology, mortality)
• Risk