HMG-CoA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS, ANGIOGENESIS AND CANCER

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (vasculogenesis) and vascular endothelial cells (angiogenesis) play a role in the formation of new vessels. Recently, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) at lipid lowering doses have been demonstrated to promote vasculogenesis and, at low doses, to promote angiogenesis; high doses, however, inhibit angiogenesis. The mechanism through which they exert these effects is independent of their lipid lowering effect. Currently, it is not known whether their cardioprotective effect could be due to these effects or to other pleiotropic effects. Most clinical studies indicate that statins do not increase the incidence of cancer; on the contrary, according to data from the 4S study, these drugs could reduce it. However, clinical studies specifically designed to determine whether statins can modulate angiogenesis and thus affect the growth and propagation of tumors are required.