Klin Farmakol Farm. 2005;19(3):155-159

STATINS IN ONCOLOGY

Marek Svoboda¹, Jiří Vyskočil¹, Jana Nováková²

¹ Masarykův onkologický ústav, Brno

² Farmakologický ústav lékařské fakulty Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

Statins are the most frequently used hypolipidaemic drugs, lowering cholesterol by inhibition of the key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA). This enzyme is responsible for the production of mevalonic acid, the main precursor of cholesterol synthesis. A number of clinical trials show that statins are well tolerated, relatively safe and very efficient drugs that significantly decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia, which is the main indication for prescription of statins. Within the last five years, the results of preclinical research have proven the pleiotropic effects of statins in cell systems which are due to their direct or indirect influence on regulation of mechanisms such as the cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis. These physiological processes play an important role in oncogenesis and, therefore, the role of statins in oncology is being seriously discussed.

Keywords: Key words: statins, HMG-CoA, human tumours, oncogenesis.

Published: January 1, 2006  Show citation