It turns out that statins can slow down the development of prostate cancer in men who have already taken them when taking anti-androgen treatment. This result was obtained by research conducted on a group of 926 patients, among whom 7/10 had been struggling with cancer for six years.
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston only noticed the worsening of the disease after two years and more than three months of statin therapy. The health of men who did not take statins collapsed ten months earlier.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most infamous cancers that affect men. Its development is slow, as it is not uncommon for the tumor to become palpable only after a decade has elapsed. Unfortunately, it is the second leading cause of mortality in men with cancer. In addition, the incidence has doubled in the last 10 years. Among the types of prostate cancer, adenomas are the most common.
Men over the age of 70 are particularly at risk of prostate cancer, and it rarely occurs before the age of XNUMX. While initially asymptomatic, the following symptoms may develop over time:
- difficult urination,
- urinary tract infections,
- hematuria,
- swelling of the limbs,
- bone pain,
- decreased muscle strength of the lower limbs.
What are statins?
Statins belong to a group of drugs that correct the level of cholesterol produced by the liver by blocking the enzyme that contributes to its production. Statins are transported using the SLCO2B1 protein. The same distribution route is also taken by dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), a testosterone precursor. This sulphate is so harmful to the male body that it activates the development of prostate cancer. Because statins make androgens less available to the tumor, it does not have the conditions to grow.
A common way with DHEAS
During puberty, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate plays a secondary role in shaping sexual characteristics in teenage boys, however, it is converted in the body to strong androgens, such as testosterone and androstenedione. It is present in small amounts, also in women, in whom it is converted into estrogens over time. DHEAS is secreted primarily by the adrenal cortex, and in much smaller amounts by the testes and ovaries.
Statin-assisted treatment
The safety of statin use has been confirmed by many years of testing. The obvious conclusion is that they are not enough for a comprehensive cancer treatment, but they are an extremely important and effective medicine supporting the fight against cancer. It gives patients valuable time to allow other forms of cancer treatment to produce positive results.