Title:Statins and Alkylphospholipids as New Anticancer Agents Targeting Lipid Metabolism
Volume: 16
Issue: 12
Author(s): Sonia N. Apostolova, Reneta A. Toshkova, Albena B. Momchilova and Rumiana D. Tzoneva
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Statins, alkylphospholipids, lipid metabolism, intracellular signaling, antitumor potential.
Abstract: The partial efficacy and high toxicity of the current anticancer chemotherapeutics as
well as the development of multiple drug resistance are the major problems in cancer therapy.
Therefore, there is an emergency need for the development of novel well-tolerated anticancer
agents with different mode of action that could be successfully used in combination with other
drugs as an adjuvant therapy. The inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways associated with
cancer growth and invasiveness is a main therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. It is well
known that lipid metabolism is involved in the regulation of key cellular processes such as
proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Statins and alkylphospholipids are both relatively
new synthetic agents with considerable anticancer properties that disturb lipid metabolism and
subsequently modulate proliferation and cell survival signaling pathways, leading to apoptosis.
Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown promising results for the use of statins and
alkylphospholipids as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of various human
malignancies. However, more investigations and clinical trials are needed to assess their optimal safe dose and
maximal efficacy and better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of these drugs.
