Statins and the prevention of prostate cancer
About such protective effects of this "lipid-lowering drugs" has been discussed a lot lately. To a preventive ingestion, but can not guess the researchers who have now summarized the current knowledge about it.
Statins are the drugs currently the most commonly used to lower the blood levels of cholesterol (a blood fat). An elevated cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Statins reduce the incidence of such diseases and the mortality it. They are generally well tolerated, but may also have adverse effects.
Recent studies suggest that there is also an association between the use of statins and the reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer and mortality from this cancer. For these effects, some possible mechanisms have been cited, most of them include a direct intervention of statins in signals and metabolism within cells.
For this review article Finnish researchers evaluated all available experimental and clinical studies that are out there on the role of statins in the prevention of prostate cancer. It was found that statins promote programmed cell death in vitro (in a test tube, usually at high doses), inhibit inflammation and can slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. Whether this also works in vivo (in living humans), is still uncertain.
The cancer screening with PSA test (PSA = prostate-specific antigen, see PSA tests ) can affect study results in a complicated manner and is therefore a challenge for future studies: Compared to people who are not taking statins, are those such take medication long time, healthier and more interested in the early detection and treatment of disease. So you are also likely to be more tested. However, they have a lower PSA levels, most likely due to the reduction of cholesterol levels after the effects of other cholesterol-lowering drugs also occurs.Thus, in them would rarely a biopsy (sampling, see prostate biopsy ) is recommended, which would reduce the detection rate of prostate cancer, simulate a lower incidence of disease.
So then also show the data available so far a mixed picture: In studies on the risk of cardiovascular disease was in part a reduction in the risk of cancer in general, but not found for prostate cancer, at least not with an intake of statins of less than 5 years. Studies on prostate cancer also provided conflicting results. If the influence of PSA testing was considered, but was found a reduction in the risk of advanced tumor, on (called NSAIDs) up to half with an intake of statins for more than 5 years or with concomitant use of anti-inflammatories, and partly also to reduce overall risk.
Whether statins can also reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer, for which a decrease in the number of latent (not flashy become) would speak tumors has not yet been studied. This applies also for their effects on the levels of androgens and estrogens (male and female sex hormones) in the blood and prostate as well as the androgen receptors in the prostate, with the exception of the blood level of androgens, which remains the same (see also sex hormones ).Furthermore, it is still unclear whether statins not only reduce the risk by eliminating the blood fat increase that yes turn is a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Conclusion of the authors: Since statins are well-used in the future strengthened, a possible reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer and mortality in mind by these drugs is increasingly important. The effects should be examined in a large, descriptive study. Such would, however, perform very difficult for many reasons. However, other studies, such as progression of the tumor or to the mechanisms of action of statins could help. The use of statins for the prevention of prostate cancer can not be recommended at present, although some studies a preventive effect can be seen. This could be at least a further motivation for men taking statins for other reasons (eg increased blood fats, prevention of cardiovascular disease) should take.
Post a Comment