The poor design of clinical trials of statins in oncology may explain their failure – lessons for drug repurposing

Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. They inhibit hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) which is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of mevalonate, a precursor for the biosynthesis of cholesterol (Fig. 1). In addition to their role in controlling cholesterol, there is also a solid scientific rationale to consider repurposing statins for use as anti-cancer agents[1]. Mevalonate also is a precursor for the isoprenoids farnesol and geranylgeraniol which are used to post-translationally modify several small GTPase oncogenes (e.g.
Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Controversy Source Type: research