STATINS induce apoptosis(cell suicide) of breast cancer cells (both ER+ and ER-)

[Lani]

neither cell line was her2+ however

ABSTRACT: Simvastatin induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells: p53 and estrogen receptor independent pathway requiring signalling through JNK [Cancer Letters]
The effect of simvastatin, a widely used statin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, was investigated in the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7, and the ER-negative MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell lines. Simvastatin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both cells. These effects of simvastatin were not altered by 17-?-estradiol treatment.
MCF-7 cells express wild-type tumor suppressor protein p53, whereas MDA-MB 231 cells carry a p53 mutation. However, no alteration in the level or localisation of p53 was observed with simvastatin treatment in either cell line. On the other hand, simvastatin strongly stimulated phosphorylation of c-jun which was completely abolished by the c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125, which also significantly reduced the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of simvastatin in these cells.

In conclusion, we describe here that simvastatin induces apoptosis via involvement of JNK in breast cancer cells independent of their ER or p53 expression status. These findings indicate a great potential for statins for the treatment of cancers resistant to currently used drugs, and target the JNK signalling pathway for a novel approach of breast cancer treatment.

[Joy]

of statins in bc treatment that you know of? I'll look too, but I'm guessing not and that this information is based on in vitro studies. Thank you AGAIN for all of the good information that really keeps some of us going in the tough times. The service you provide, Lani, has tremendous impact!

[Lani]

one name on the paper presented was Laura Esserman, MD the head of their cancer center.

Statins are widely used --side-effects are easily found (google them)

Haven't seen papers on statins with her2+ cells lines (will let you know if I find one)

[Lani]

from posters named "Joy" and "Hopeful"--that is the point!

[suzan w]

That was interesting. I don't know how coincidental this is but 2 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer my cholesterol went sky high. I had NO history of high cholesterol in my family (or of cancer either) and was slim and ate a low fat, low dairy diet. Tried natural cholesterol lowering strategies ( like oatmeal and cheerios!) but nothing worked. I wonder if there is a correlation between breast cancer and high cholesterol??? I started on lovastatin after I finished chemo...

[Becky]

As far as a possible cholesterol/bc connection we can go down 2 paths.


One is that cholesterol is the precursor to the manufacture of all sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, androgens). It is one of the reasons the body manufactures cholesterol. Therefore, you could possibly make some sort of conclusion that more cholestrol, more estrogen etc. However..

before hormones are made, first prostagladins are made (and then the sex hormones are made from that). Well, if you get into all that RB has been teaching us on omega 3s and omega 6s, these fats feed into that pathway. Prostaglandins cause inflammation (which isn't a bad thing in general but can be bad if it is ongoing. For example, pain comes from an inflammatory response. It is a good thing so that you know you are hurt or sick but a bad thing if it goes on forever. Because long term inflammation causes tissue damage. Tissue damage can cause changes in tissue DNA (ie dysplasia or cancers).

So, some of these pathways can definitely be involved. You can see how complex it all is - even the cancer cell in general. Its just amazingly complex and formidable!!!

[penelope]

I was part of the UCSF study for statins and DCIS. I think it was a phase II or III not sure.

[TSund]

What was the result of the UCSF study for statins and DCIS??

[Lani]

9:
Campbell MJ, Esserman LJ, Zhou Y, Shoemaker M, Lobo M, Borman E, Baehner F, Kumar AS, Adduci K, Marx C, Petricoin EF, Liotta LA, Winters M, Benz S, Benz CC.
Related Articles, Links
Breast cancer growth prevention by statins.
Cancer Res. 2006 Sep 1;66(17):8707-14.
PMID: 16951186 [PubMed - in process]
dexed for MEDLINE]


13:
Kumar AS, Benz CC, Esserman LJ.
Related Articles, Links
Clinical trials are required to prove the chemopreventive worth of statins.
Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22;166(10):1143; author reply 1144. No abstract available.
PMID: 16717179 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
14:
Kumar AS, Campbell M, Benz CC, Esserman LJ.
Related Articles, Links
A call for clinical trials: lipophilic statins may prove effective in treatment and prevention of particular breast cancer subtypes.
J Clin Oncol. 2006 May 1;24(13):2127; author reply 2127-8. No abstract available.
PMID: 16648516 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20:
Kumar AS, Esserman LJ.
Related Articles, Links
Statins: health-promoting agents show promise for breast cancer prevention.
Clin Breast Cancer. 2005 Dec;6(5):455-9. Review. No abstract available.
PMID: 16381630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]