Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Show Promise Against Colorectal Cancer
Jul 22, 2025
Discover how cholesterol-lowering statins may play a surprising role in combating colorectal cancer. The discussion reveals exciting research showing these common drugs disrupt the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is crucial for tumor growth. Researchers confirmed that statins not only reduce tumor growth but also do so with minimal side effects. This innovative approach could pave the way for repurposing statins in cancer therapy and prevention, offering hope against one of the leading cancer fatalities worldwide.
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insights INSIGHT
Statins Suppress Colorectal Cancer Growth
Statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, may also suppress colorectal cancer growth by affecting key molecular pathways.
They disrupt Wnt/β-catenin signaling, lowering tumor-promoting proteins and encouraging cancer-suppressing behavior in cells.
insights INSIGHT
Statins' Molecular Impact on Tumors
Statins reduce colorectal tumor growth and alter tumor-related protein levels without noticeable side effects.
They downregulate SATB1 linked to aggressiveness and increase SATB2, which suppresses tumors, changing cancer cell behavior.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Repurpose Statins for Cancer Care
Consider repurposing statins to complement existing colorectal cancer treatments or for prevention in high-risk groups.
They offer a promising, cost-effective option for targeting colorectal tumor molecular machinery and reducing cancer burden.
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BUFFALO, NY – July 22, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 21, 2025, titled “Statins exhibit anti-tumor potential by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer.”
In this work, led by first author Sneha Tripathi from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and corresponding author Sanjeev Galande from the Center of Excellence in Epigenetics at Shiv Nadar University, researchers discovered that statins, widely used to lower cholesterol, may also suppress colorectal cancer growth. This finding highlights a potential new role for these common drugs in cancer prevention and therapy.
Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and new strategies are urgently needed to improve treatment results. Statins, originally developed to lower cholesterol levels, have gained attention for their possible anti-cancer properties. The study investigated how statins affect the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a critical driver in colorectal cancer development and progression.
The researchers discovered that statins disrupt the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to lower levels of tumor-promoting proteins and to cancer-suppressing cellular behaviors. Experiments in both colorectal cell cultures and mouse models confirmed that statins reduced tumor growth without causing noticeable side effects. This study further revealed that statins downregulate SATB1, a protein linked to aggressive tumor behavior, while increasing SATB2, a protein with tumor-suppressing effects. These changes made the cancer cells less able to grow and spread.
“This reciprocal regulation shifts cellular phenotypes between epithelial and mesenchymal states in 3D spheroid models.”
Overall, the findings suggest that statins could be repurposed to complement existing colorectal cancer treatments or even be used in preventive strategies for high-risk individuals. By targeting the molecular machinery that drives colorectal tumor development, statins offer a promising, accessible, and well-understood option for further research in cancer therapy.
This research opens the door to larger clinical studies to explore how best to integrate statins into cancer care. If successful, this approach could provide a cost-effective strategy for reducing the global burden of colorectal cancer, which remains a significant health challenge.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28755
Correspondence to - Sanjeev Galande - sanjeev.galande@snu.edu.in
Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A95ICULaH3Y
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Keywords - cancer, colorectal cancer, statins, SATB1, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, tumor-suppressive phenotype
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