Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Help In Fight Against Breast Cancer
Every year, an estimated 127,000 women develop estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. This subcategory of breast cancer has proven increasingly frustrating for both researchers and patients, because it is resistant to the beneficial effects of tamoxifen – the world’s most popular breast cancer drug.
Now, however, it appears that researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) may have found an important clue into the workings of ER+ breast cancer. Through laboratory research, the GUMC team has determined that high amounts of cholesterol may be shielding cancer cells against tamoxifen.
This conclusion was met following studies that indicated tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells exhibit significantly higher amounts of cholesterol. Scientists suggest that the cholesterol may be aiding resistance in one of two ways. The first possibility is that cholesterol serves as a barrier between cancer drugs and the cell membrane. The alternative is that additional cholesterol surrounding the mitochondria is inhibiting susceptibility to cell death.
As a result of the research, experts are hypothesizing that cholesterol-lowering drugs could be used to lower the resistance of ER+ breast cancer so that cancer drugs can be more effective. New drugs that address cholesterol levels in patients may also be developed.
While the discovery serves as one of several new insights into tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, additional research is still necessary. Previous studies that focused on the connection between cholesterol-reducing drugs and breast cancer resistant have failed to display consistent results. One potential problem with the use of statins is that they may help to reduce cholesterol in the blood, but not in the cancer cells.
Regardless of these facts, the new findings courtesy of GUMC provide important insight into the matter. Based on the research, new treatment strategies can now be investigated.
Resources:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-04/gumc-cat033009.php
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iD_r-9wuoxCtimfWbfX4CmMj0TIg
