title: Novel prospects of statins as therapeutic agents in cancer.
abstract: Statins are well known competitive inhibitors of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase), thus traditionally used as cholesterol-lowering agents. In recent years, more and more effects of statins have been revealed. Nowadays alterations of lipid metabolism have been increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer cells. Consequently, much attention has been directed toward the potential of statins as therapeutic agents in the oncological field. Accumulated in vitro and in vivo clinical evidence point out the role of statins in a variety of human malignancies, in regulating tumor cell growth and anti-tumor immune response. Herein, we summarize and discuss, in light of the most recent observations, the anti-tumor effects of statins, underpinning the detailed mode of action and looking for their true significance in cancer prevention and treatment, to determine if and in which case statin repositioning could be really justified for neoplastic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: spisanti@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pisanti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Picardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ciaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: maubiful@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bifulco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008798:Mevalonic Acid
keywords: Adjuvant therapy; Anti-tumor immunity; Cancer; Mevalonate pathway; Statins