Advances in the management of malignant hemopathies: the role of statins.

Today, hematology is dependent on molecular biology for diagnosis, establishing the prognosis and treatment guidance in more and more diseases. One useful technique in this respect is the gene expression profiling, whose use is not yet a matter of routine. The discovery that the expression of LDL-receptor and cholesterol synthesis is increased in the cells of some leukemias and lymphomas and that some statins induced DNA damages and increased the level of reactive oxygen species, opens the possibility of using statins in the treatment of certain malignant hemopathies. Patents regarding their association with dipyridamole, retinoids, tipifarnib, cytostatics or chemotherapy programs contribute to increasing their effectiveness. Statins can increase the apoptosis of malignant cells and restore the chemosensitivity in patients with different malignant hemopathies. Techniques of molecular biology are useful for identifying patients who have indication for statins. The main adverse effects of statins are increased transaminase levels and myopathy. The last may be anticipated and treated today.