A REVIEW ARTICLE ON ANTICANCER AGENTS AND USE OF STATINS AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER DRUG

Mandeep Kaur* and Kamalpreet Kaur

Statins have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in animal models. Various studies have also shown a decreased cancer-specific mortality rate in patients who were prescribed these medications. Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway. Statins induce tumour-specific apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathways, which are activated by the suppression of mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) biosynthesis. The statins inhibit the production of endogenous cholesterol and may influence also cell proliferation and migration. A reduction on the cholesterol level could lead to decreased proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. Statins had anticancer proprieties (halting cell- cycle progression in cancer cells) and reduced the risk of cancer recurrence. Many of cholesterol products resulting of synthesis pathway are used in cells proliferation. Disruption of these processes conduct to inhibition of cancer growth and metastasis, reduce angiogenesis and stimulate apoptosis. Currently, there are many ongoing clinical trials aimed at exploring the potential of statins to lower the mortality and the disease-recurrence risk. All these results are the foundation of new treatment directions in cancer therapy.