Statin May Have Antitumor Effect

Rosuvastatin appears to possess antiangiogenic and antitumor properties that could be of benefit in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa).

In a study involving developing zebrafish embryos, Xiao-Yan Wen, MD, PhD of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, found that rosuvastatin helped arrest cell division at the G1 phase and promoted apoptosis of the human umbilical endothelial cells. The cholesterol-lowering agent also suppressed the growth of human PCa that had been transplanted into mice, according to a report in European Urology (2010;58:418-426).

“Our study provides preclinical evidence and rationale for the therapeutic potential of rosuvastatin in the treatment of human PCa,” the authors concluded.

From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Renal and Urology News