The latest research found that some statins can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs used to treat blood cancer in mouse models. Statins are drugs that treat patients with reduced fat in the blood. They are commonly used to lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels and reduce fat associated with heart attacks and strokes. In this new experiment, the researchers found that they may also be used to treat certain blood cancers.
Previous research has shown that statins promote apoptosis (natural cell death) in certain types of cancer, and this finding suggests that they may be useful in treating these cancers. In this study, the researchers found that simvastatin enhanced the efficacy of Venetoclax against chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a mouse model. It helps to reduce lymphoma by increasing the apoptosis signal in cancer cells, resulting in increased survival time. They also pointed out that this finding is more effective than any drug given alone.
The researchers were encouraged by the results of this study and began three clinical trials involving the testing of Venetoclax for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, looking for data on patients who had received statins. They found that these patients responded better to cancer by 2.7 times than those who did not take statins.
Researchers say that if statins have the same effect in humans, millions of people around the world often use them to lower cholesterol levels. In addition to reducing fat in the blood, they have also been shown to have no side effects. The researchers believe that clinical trials should be conducted to determine whether statins can improve the prognosis of patients with leukemia and other blood cancers.
