Statins and Lung Cancer: A Review of Current Literature - Statins and Lung Cancer: A Review of Current Literature - Open Access Pub

Cardiovascular disease and lung cancer are two of the most common causes of death in the United States. The cardioprotective benefits of statin class drugs is predominantly mediated through the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, decreasing available mevalonate, and thus limiting in vivo cholesterol biosynthesis. Mevalonate and its metabolites have significant roles in cellular membrane synthesis, which is dysregulated during tumorigenesis, and is therefore a potential source for anti-tumor effects of statins. Similarly, dysregulation of cellular signaling is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. In vitro studies of EGFR, RAS, and AKT signaling pathways in cancer cells can all be reformed back to states more indicative of normally functioning cells when treated with statins. Statins have also been shown to exert beneficial properties in the presence of chemotherapeutic medications and radiation therapies by modulating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species, decreasing tumor cell resistance, and minimizing damage to surrounding native tissues. There is abundant of in vitro evidence to support the beneficial effects of statins on lung cancer patients. Prospective studies to determine the value of statin therapy on lung cancer prevention could lead to a significant change in lung cancer treatment. DOI10.14302/issn.2639-1716.jn-18-1993 The impact lung cancer has on global health is well known. Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths with >1 million deaths worldwide attributable to the disease.1 The American Cancer Society has projected 224,390 Americans will receive a new diagnosis of lung cancer in 2016. This represents a dramatic increase in both incidence and prevalence of the disease, as the United States had approximately 157,426 deaths attributable to lung cancer in 2012.2 While the incidence of lung cancer has increased across all demographics, male mortality from lung cancer actually saw a reduction between 1990 and 2007 while women saw an increase of 6.31% in mortality over that same time span.1,2 This is likely attributable to the early peak of smoking rates in men compared to women. Increasing pack-years, African-American race, low income, lesser education, and occupational exposures are all associated with increased lung cancer rates as well. In 1971, Dr. Akira Endo set out to develop a medication that would theoretically decrease coronary artery disease by decreasing cholesterol production. By 1992, >1 million people had been prescribed a statin class medication.3 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl