The Link Between Statins and Breast Cancer in Mouse Models: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, have consistently demonstrated pleiotropic effects in both preclinical and clinical studies. Outside of inhibiting the production of cholesterol in cells, statins have shown antineoplastic properties most commonly in breast cancer. Clinical and epidemiological studies, however, are less definitive than preclinical studies regarding statins as potential adjuvant oncologic therapy. Our objective is to summarize mouse model studies that investigate the link between statins and breast cancer using a cancer care continuum framework to provide a clinically relevant picture of the potential use of statins in breast cancer. A systematic review of the PubMed database was performed to identify studies published between January 2007 and July 2022 that investigated the effects of statins on breast cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship in mouse models. Overall, 58 studies were identified using our search strategy. Based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 26 mouse model studies were eligible to be included in our systematic review. In breast cancer mouse models, statins alone and in combination with anti-cancer therapies demonstrate proven antineoplastic effects across the cancer care continuum. The antineoplastic benefit of statins as single agents in mouse model studies helps inform their synergistic benefit that future clinical studies can test. Parameters such as statin timing, dose, and breast cancer subtype are key stepping stones in defining how statins could be used in the treatment of breast cancer.

A Concise Review on Natural Products and Their Derivatives for Breast Cancer Treatment

“…After the approval of lovastatin, six statins have been introduced into the market. [110] In addition to the cholesterol inhibition activity, statins also exhibit anticancer activity. In breast cancer cells, statins decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.…”

“…It was approved by USFDA and indicated for treatment of coronary artery diseases and hypercholesterolemia. After the approval of lovastatin, six statins have been introduced into the market [110] . In addition to the cholesterol inhibition activity, statins also exhibit anticancer activity.…”

The effects of statin therapy on brain tumors, particularly glioma: a review

“…The most frequent intracranial tumors in adults are brain metastases (BM), and many studies have investigated the possible impact of statins in preventing and treating BM from breast cancer [ 42 , 111 , 112 ]. Most molecular research studies on the risk of metastatic spread have been conducted on breast cancer with early staging and showed that markers such as p16 kinase inhibitor, which is a tumor suppressor protein, is linked to the development of BM with metastatic lymph nodes from breast cancer patients [ 113 ].…”

Statins in breast cancer treatment and management: a mini-review of potential benefits and clinical implications

“…Breast cancer (BC) is not a single illness but a collection of diverse subtypes with varying clinical outcomes. It accounts for around 12.5% of all new annual cancer diagnoses [1] . Currently, the treatment of BC includes surgery that is, breast conservation or mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy medications, immunotherapy, and/or supportive care [2] .…”

“…The antineoplastic benefit of statins as single agents in mouse model studies helps inform their synergistic use that future clinical trials can test. Parameters such as statin dose, timing, and BC subtype are essential steppingstones in defining how this drug could treat BC [12] .…”