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Published online 31 October 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2007.210
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Knocking down cholesterol helps prostate cancer treatment
Weakening cells' membranes may boost radiotherapy efficiency.
Cholesterol-reducing medication might make radiotherapy more effective at treating prostate cancer, according to a preliminary look at patient data.
Prostate cancer affects the male reproductive system and is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men.
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Could the statins also be conversely lowering local testosterone or estradiol levels? After all, the precursor for these steroid hormones is cholesterol, and these cancers are testosterone sensitive. Cecily Bishop, Ph.D.
statins happen to be competitive 3A4 inhibitors, thus would tend to decrease steroid hormones clearance. However, we know that losing weight induces 3A4, so it's possible that the body adjusts 3A4 as if the body is losing weight. (We make less 3A4 with weight gain).
Statin treatment in itself is unlikely to significantly alter the cell membrane cholesterol content, although it will certainly increase the LDL-receptor levels, which could potentially overload cells with suficient cholesterol to have apoptotic effects.
Such as "hypothesis ad hoc" can help greatly Statine commercial Destiny, and underscores a clear fact: drug producers rule out the acceptance of papers by Reviewers. Compliment to the researchers! Sergio Stagnaro MD Who's Who in the World, and in America since 1996 to 2007 Riva Trigoso (Genova) Europe
Does it mean the thinner the membrane is, the more sensitive to the radiotherapy the Prostate cancer cells become? Then what about other healthy cells? Will they become sensitive as well? Thanks for your respond in advance!