The anticancer potential of statins

Abstract

Background: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are important medications for the treatment of lipid disorders. In primary and secondary prevention, they lower cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Statins modulate signaling pathways to induce pleiotropic effects in numerous disorders, in addition to inhibition of cholesterol production. Because of their possible anticancer effects, statins have recently attracted a lot of attention. Key processes involved in cancer, such as suppression of proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, seem to be inhibited by statins. We aimed to provide a brief insight about the promising role of statins as anticancer agents. Conclusion: Lowering cholesterol levels and protection against cardiovascular diseases are the pharmacological effects of statins, which act through inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. The molecular processes behind statins' "pleiotropic" effects, which extend beyond lipoprotein reduction, have recently attracted attention. There area lot of preclinical studies that support statins' anticancer characteristics. We tried to represent a synopsis about the latest research on statins' anticancer mechanisms.