Statins can slow down cancer metastases
Statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs to lower cholesterol. These drugs can prevent cardiovascular disease and increase life expectancy. Most people tolerate the preparations well. Researchers are now reporting that such Cholesterinsenker even metastases at Krebs can slow down.
Many people in this country have to take statins to get their to lower cholesterol. But such drugs can possibly do even more: researchers led by Ulrike Stein from the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) and Robert Preißner from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin report that they inhibit a gene that causes cancer cells to metastasize.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of metastasis
Very few cancer patients die from a primary tumor, but from its metastases – even after a successful tumor operation, according to one Message of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC).
Because cancer cells can begin to migrate in the body at an early stage, when the tumor is still very small, perhaps not yet discovered. To do this, they have to detach themselves from their cell structure, migrate into neighboring lymphatic or blood vessels and emigrate from there again, settle in new tissue and multiply.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of metastasis is therefore an important piece of the puzzle in the fight against cancer. More than ten years ago, Professor Ulrike Stein and her working group at the ECRC succeeded in identifying an important driver of this process in human colon cancer: the metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 gene (MACC1).
The ECRC is a joint institution of the MDC and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
MACC1 as a key factor and biomarker
In order to multiply, move and invade other tissues, these cancer cells express MACC1. “Many types of cancer only spread in patients with high MACC1 expression,” explains Ulrike Stein.
According to the information, many other researchers worldwide have now investigated this role of MACC1 as a key factor and biomarker for tumor growth and metastasis and confirmed it in more than 300 publications – not only in colorectal cancer, but in more than 20 solid tumors, such as stomach and liver – or breast cancer.
Now Ulrike Stein together with PD Dr. Robert Preißner from the Charité discovered what could disrupt the metastasis drive in such cases: statins, which are prescribed as cholesterol-lowering drugs, inhibit MACC1 expression in tumor cells.
The scientists present their results in the journal “Clinical and Translational Medicine” in front.
Statins decreased MACC1 expression
In search of MACC1 inhibitors, the researchers, together with colleagues at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, carried out high-throughput drug screenings – and independently of one another came across statins.
They tested this discovery on various tumor cell lines – with positive results: all seven drugs tested reduced MACC1 expression in the cells, but not all to the same extent.
The experts then administered the cholesterol inhibitors to genetically modified mice with increased MACC1 expression. The animals then developed hardly any tumors and metastases.
“It is particularly remarkable that this still worked in the animals even after we reduced the dose in relation to the amount that humans normally take,” says Ulrike Stein.
Lower incidence of cancer
In addition, Robert Preißner and researchers from the University of Virginia (USA) analyzed the data of a total of 300,000 patients who had been prescribed statins.
They found a correlation: Compared to the general population, the incidence of cancer in patients “who take statins was 50% lower,” explains Robert Preißner.
However, Ulrike Stein advises against taking statins preventively without medical advice and a check of the lipid values, so that any serious side effects can be kept under control. “We are still at the very beginning,” says the scientist. “Cell lines and mice are not human, we cannot readily extrapolate the results.”
After the experimental investigations and the retrospective data analysis, a clinical study is now planned. Only then can it be said with certainty whether statins actually prevent or weaken metastasis in patients with high MACC1 expression. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.