Taking a combination of two drugs including statins could lower cholesterol – and slow the progression of a common cancer, research has shown. In the UK, there are around 10,000 new cases of bladder cancer each year. This makes it the 10th most common cancer in the country.
The study showed that a protein could play a role in bladder cancer by triggering cholesterol synthesis. A new study published in the academic journal Cancer Discovery found that a combination of two drugs, including a statin already used to lower cholesterol levels, hinders this process, potentially slowing the emergence of cancer cells and the growth of tumours.
In the study it was tested on mice and on bladder cell cultures. In these environments, the scientists wanted to document the role played by the PIN1 protein in the development and growth of cancer, since there is previous evidence that had already linked it to various tumour processes in different sites, such as the breasts or the bladder itself.
They found the increased presence of the PIN1 enzyme triggered cholesterol synthesis in tumour cells. The study found the cholesterol synthesis process was driving the growth of bladder tumours. In the research the report authors investigated it drugs capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels could help combat the progression of these types of cancer.
They administered a combination of the drug simvastatin and the PIN1 inhibitor to the experimental models and found that the strategy was capable of slowing the progression of bladder cancer. The researchers believe that since PIN1 levels have been found to be elevated in a wide variety of other cancers, it is plausible that a similar process is taking place in these tumours. Therefore, the administration of these drugs could also be effective against them , although the approach will have to be validated in specific works and, above all, in studies carried out on human beings.
Every year over 21,500 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer (58 people every day) making it one of the ten most common cancers in the UK. In the UK bladder cancer accounts for 4.5% of all new cancer cases and over 100,000 people are living with this form of cancer.
Cancer Support UK says bladder cancer has a high mortality rate of around 50% and diagnosis can often be late. Approximately 25% of all cases are diagnosed at a late stage, particularly in women. Patient outcomes can be considerably improved by early diagnosis – up to 80% survival rate if caught early enough – so we want to raise awareness both among the public and GPs of the symptoms and the need to take action much earlier.
Bladder cancer affects all ages, both men and women, with almost three quarters of cases occurring in men and has the highest recurrence rate of any known cancer – up to 80%.
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine. You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn’t always noticeable and it may come and go.
Less common symptoms of bladder cancer include:
- a need to urinate on a more frequent basis
- sudden urges to urinate
- a burning sensation when passing urine
If bladder cancer reaches an advanced stage and has spread, symptoms can include:
- pelvic pain
- bone pain
- unintentional weight loss
- swelling of the legs
If you have blood in your urine – even if it comes and goes – you should visit your GP, so the cause can be investigated.