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World J Pharmacol. Dec 9, 2013; 2(4): 100-106
Published online Dec 9, 2013. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v2.i4.100
Published online Dec 9, 2013. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v2.i4.100
Statins role in cancer prevention and development-recent meta-analyses
Martin Künzl, Christine Wasinger, Martin Hohenegger, Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Author contributions: Künzl M, Wasinger C, Hohenegger M designed research; Künzl M, Wasinger C performed research; Künzl M, Hohenegger M analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Supported by The Herzfeldersche Familienstiftung and the Austrian Science foundation, FWF-Project P22385
Correspondence to: Martin Hohenegger, MD, Associate Professor, Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13A, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. martin.hohenegger@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4016031358 Fax: +43-1-40160931300
Received: June 28, 2013
Revised: September 11, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: December 9, 2013
Processing time: 173 Days and 17.4 Hours
Revised: September 11, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: December 9, 2013
Processing time: 173 Days and 17.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The 3-hydroxy-3 methyl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, the statins are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in industrialized countries. Statins are well tolerated cholesterol lowering drugs which significantly help to reduce cardiovascular events. Clinical trials and meta-analyzes thereof now accumulate evidence that development of cancer might be reduced in some tissues. In this review the current status of evidence for an anti-cancer effect of statins will be critically evaluated. In particular, colon and prostate cancer are assessed in greater detail.