title: Pharmacological actions of statins: a critical appraisal in the management of cancer.
abstract: Statins, among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide, are cholesterol-lowering agents used to manage and prevent cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. Recently, a multifaceted action in different physiological and pathological conditions has been also proposed for statins, beyond anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Statins have been shown to act through cholesterol-dependent and -independent mechanisms and are able to affect several tissue functions and modulate specific signal transduction pathways that could account for statin pleiotropic effects. Typically, statins are prescribed in middle-aged or elderly patients in a therapeutic regimen covering a long life span during which metabolic processes, aging, and concomitant novel diseases, including cancer, could occur. In this context, safety, toxicity, interaction with other drugs, and the state of health have to be taken into account in subjects treated with statins. Some evidence has shown a dichotomous effect of statins with either cancer-inhibiting or -promoting effects. To date, clinical trials failed to demonstrate a reduced cancer occurrence in statin users and no sufficient data are available to define the long-term effects of statin use over a period of 10 years. Moreover, results from clinical trials performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of statins in cancer did not suggest statin use as chemotherapeutic or adjuvant agents. Here, we reviewed the pharmacology of the statins, providing a comprehensive update of the current knowledge of their effects on tissues, biological processes, and pathological conditions, and we dissected the disappointing evidence on the possible future use of statin-based drugs in cancer therapy.
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy.
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Gazzerro
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Proto
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Gangemi
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Malfitano
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Ciaglia
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Pisanti
authors: Antonietta
authors: A
authors: Santoro
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Laezza
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Bifulco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors