Anticancer Agents in Combination with Statins

Abstract

Statins are 3-Hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl CoA (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors and mainly used in cardiovascular diseases. However, they are also widely known for their anticancer activities mediated by antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti-invasive, and radio sensitizing properties. They are tested alone in several clinical trials for their anticancer activity and the response in not satisfactory due to high dose requirements in humans. Tumor inhibitory concentration of statins is 10-100 μM for different cancer cell lines when tested in vitro. But statins can cause anorexia and death in some individuals if concentration is reached to 20-25 μM in serum. So, there is high risk factor. To avoid these unwanted harmful effects, we can give statins in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs for synergism. It will reduce the concentration of statins in dosage, and can avoid unwanted toxic effects. When used along with the other chemo therapeutic agents like prenylation inhibitors, NSAIDS and standard chemotherapeutic agents, they have shown much better results at lower doses with little or no toxicity.