HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) as anticancer drugs (Review)

Apart from their lipid lowering activity, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) impair numerous cellular functions associated with metastasis, e.g. gene expression, angiogenesis, cell adhesion, cell motility and invasiveness. Furthermore, statins have impact on apoptotic cell death and modulate cellular susceptibility to cell killing by anticancer drugs and ionizing radiation. Part of the effects provoked by statins are due to the inhibition of the prenylation of low molecular weight GTPases, in particular Ras and Rho, which play key roles in signaling evoked by stimulation of cell surface receptors. C-terminal lipid modification of Ras/Rho GTPases is essential for their correct intracellular localization and function. By depletion of the cellular pool of isoprene precursor molecules, statins reduce the level of membrane-bound active Ras/Rho proteins, thereby impairing corresponding functions. Since broad clinical experience already exists for statins, their incorporation into established tumor-therapeutic regimens would be realizable in a rather short period of time. Here, data available at present argueing for the usefulness of statins in anticancer therapy are summarized and discussed.