Statins Viable Cure for Cancers

Statins are class of hypolipidemic drugs inhibit an enzyme HMG - CoA reductase, which superbly lower cholesterol levels, preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease (Reabsorbing cholesterol accumulation referred to as plaque on artery walls, preventing blood vessels from blockage 2). Precisely Statins lower bad cholesterol, otherwise known as LDL cholesterol by 30 - 50%, and raise good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol). 1 Among the most widely prescribed Statins in the western world include: Simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastalin (Lipitor), pravastatin (Pravachol), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and others. 2 Statin medication maybe prescribed by a physician when total cholesterol level exceeds 240 milligrams or bad cholesterol LDL exceeds more than 130 milligrams. However, other factors must be considered before prescribing a statin medication including general health of the patient, excess weight, smoking, age, and more. High cholesterol level risks development of a heart attack or stroke. Prescribed statin dosage various from 5 - 80 milligrams, depending on initial LDL cholesterol evaluation level. Most of the time, no side effects are apparent, however some people may experience liver damage and muscle problems, which may go away as the body adjusts to the medication. 2

Scientists studying statins have started to understand not only prevented cardiovascular disease but could significantly cure cancers by working against cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, growth and metastais (spread). When the enzyme HMG - CoA reductase is blocked, prevents a pivotal role it plays, arresting cancer process. 3

One of the most deadly form of cancer is Pancreatic Cancer (Pancreas located behind the stomach, functions to produce an enzyme that help digest food in the small intestine and insulin which controls the amount of sugar in the blood. 7) According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 32,000 new cases of Pancreatic cancers are diagnosed each year and one in 25 people will survive five years or more. Also, deadly type of cancer found in more men than women is Esophageal Cancer ("The esophagus is the tube that carries food, liquids and saliva from the mouth to the stomach - and adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the organ." 5). Unfortunately this type of cancer often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is not viable. 4 Esophageal adenocarcinoma most common type of esophageal cancer (Develops where the esophagus joins the stomach, in the lower half of the esophagus) in the United States. 6 In 2005, ACS predicted 14,520 Americans will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer and 13,570 will die from it. 4

Evidence supports Statins provide a greater than fifty percent reduction in risk developing pancreatic and esophageal cancer. In Chicago 2005, Dr. Vikas Khurana, associate program director of the Gastroenterolgy and Hepatology, Training Program and an assistant professor of medicine at Louisiana State University Health Science Center, gave a presentation at Digestive Disease week, regarding how statins effectively treated certain types of cancers. The researchers discovered patients taking statins reduced their risk for developing pancreatic cancer by 59 percent and limited their risk for developing esophageal cancer by 50 percent. Also, researchers provided evidence according to a database of patients health records taking statins, reduced their risk for developing breast cancer by 51 percent, prostate cancer by 54 percent and lung cancer by 48 percent. 4

Published report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology April 2008, United Kingdom Researchers (co-authors) Dr. Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi (from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital) and Dr. Ian L. Beales (from the University of East Anglia in Norwich) applied variety of lower cholesterol medications (Zocor, Mevacor and Pravachol) to esophageal cancer cells. Researchers discovered a high dose of statin medication greatly destroyed cancer cells. The researchers noted: "As yet, it is not possible to extrapolate from our laboratory studies to clinical scenarios, but the current data do suggest that any effects of statins taken by patients with esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus are possibly beneficial." 5

In January 2008, article ('The Association Between Statins and Cancer Incidence in a Veterans Population' 9) published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Wildon Farwell of the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and colleagues, reviewed collected data on patients

(37,248 9) in the veterans Healthcare System (January 1, 1997 - December 31. 2005 9) using statins (blood pressure- lowering medications): "The incidence of cancer was (reduced) 9.4 percent among statin users and 13.2 percent among non-statin users". However, results of the research did not take into consideration patients who may be smokers, those who were taking aspirin (known to reduce colorectal cancer) and patients buying over the counter statins. These factors may have altered the findings of the research study. 9 The authors of the study wrote: "Our findings support the hypothesis that statins may reduce the risk of cancer, in particular lung and colorectal cancers. This relationship may be affected by the (statin dose)". 8

According to the American Cancer Society in the United States second leading cause of death in men linked to prostate cancer. Each year more than quarter million new cases are diagnosed.10 In 2008, estimated new cases of prostate cancer 186,320. 11 Treatment for late stage prostate cancer and other late stage cancers is not favorable. Reported in April 2008, researchers at Rutger's Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy discovered when Celebrx (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and Liptor (cholesterol lowering drug) together effectively appeared to treat bred mice in which prostate cancer tumors were introduced under the skin. During the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego (April 14, 2008), Rutgers Professor Xi Zheng reported the findings of the study. The professor said: "A combination of low doses of Lipitor and Celebrex had a more potent inhibiting effect on the formation of later stage tumors than a higher dose of either agent alone". Reported in the September 15, 2007, issue of Clinical Cancer Research (previously) confirmed combination of Liptor and Celbrex inhibited the growth of late stage prostate cancer. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Brunswick plan to conduct human clinical trials, combining Liptor and Celbrex treat cancer patients. Allan Conney director of Rutger's Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research said: "If the clinical trials go well, we could have something available in five years, but it would be nice to speed that up. If the trials show that the drug therapy does a good job of preventing the cancer from advancing, we won't need to worry about how to handle the more aggressive late stage cancer". 10

Alzheimer's Association research notes offer evidence from their own studies statins reduces cholesterol levels, decrease risk of Alzheimer's disease. 4

The Food and Drug Administration would require extensive long - term human clinical trials on a large scale on cancer patients, evaluating the efficacy and recommended dosage, before the agency could validate statins decisively or significantly provided a new treatable cure or prevention against pancreatic, esophageal and other types of cancers. Also, evaluating if statins and other medications, such a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work more effectively together to treat or cure cancers.

Dr. Khurana said: "But I believe we will be seeing the day when statins will be approved for cancer prevention. We need to look at this drug, it might be the next wonder drug after aspirin." 4

References:

1.) Statin - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statin

2.) CHOLESTEROL - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010

3.) Statins and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/statins

4.) Statins May Be Cancer-Fighting 'Wonder Drugs' - http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/000776/31/

5.) Cholesterol drugs destroy esophageal cancer cells - http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL16740220080421?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews

6.) Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association - http://www.ecaware.org/EC_Information.html

7.) Definition of Pancreas - http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4743

8.) News From the Journal of the National Cancer Institute - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/93419.php

9.) Could Statins Prevent Cancer? - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Could_Statins_Prevent_Cancer.asp

10.) Progression of Prostate Cancer May Be Halted by Anti-Inflammatory and Statin Used in Tandem - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104070.php

11.) Liptor - Celebrex: Curb Prostate Cancer? - http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20080414/llipitor-celebrex-curb-prostate-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC