[Statins in the treatment of tumors. Fiction or a new therapeutic approach?].

Abstract

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) belong to the key hypocholesterolemic drugs. Besides this very important function, several others have been recently demonstrated such as the inhibition of atherogenous plaque formation, platelet aggregation, or improvement of endothelial function and fibrinolytic activity, or even the direct protective effects of statins on the mortality of acute myocardial infarction. Aside from the major interest of both the medical community and pharmaceutical companies remain the very important anti-tumor effects of this group of drugs. As based on recent medical research, inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, the key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis, brings about depletion of several intermediates. The most important one seems to be farnesyl pyrophosphate, which has a very important role in the cell signaling affecting apoptosis. The aim of the survey is to summarize present knowledge in this medical field and to demonstrate the enormous curative potential of this group of drugs.

• Authors: L Vítek, I Kráslová, L Muchová, T Krechler
• Journal: Casopis lekaru ceskych (Cas Lek Cesk) Vol. 142 Issue 6 Pg. 323-8; discussion 329-30 ( 2003) ISSN: 0008-7335 [Print] Czech Republic
• Vernacular Title: Statiny v lécbĕ nádorových onemocnĕní. Fikce nebo nový terapeutický prístup?
• PMID: 12924030 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)