Cholesterol-lowering drugs show promise against colorectal cancer: Study

A new research paper was published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 21, 2025, titled “Statins exhibit anti-tumor potential by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer.”

In this work, led by first author Sneha Tripathi from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and corresponding author Sanjeev Galande from the Center of Excellence in Epigenetics at Shiv Nadar University, researchers discovered that statins, widely used to lower cholesterol, may also suppress colorectal cancer growth. This finding highlights a potential new role for these common drugs in cancer prevention and therapy.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and new strategies are urgently needed to improve treatment results. Statins, originally developed to lower cholesterol levels, have gained attention for their possible anti-cancer properties. The study investigated how statins affect the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a critical driver in colorectal cancer development and progression.

The researchers discovered that statins disrupt the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to lower levels of tumor-promoting proteins and to cancer-suppressing cellular behaviors. Experiments in both colorectal cell cultures and mouse models confirmed that statins reduced tumor growth without causing noticeable side effects. This study further revealed that statins downregulate SATB1, a protein linked to aggressive tumor behavior, while increasing SATB2, a protein with tumor-suppressing effects. These changes made the cancer cells less able to grow and spread.

“This reciprocal regulation shifts cellular phenotypes between epithelial and mesenchymal states in 3D spheroid models.”

Overall, the findings suggest that statins could be repurposed to complement existing colorectal cancer treatments or even be used in preventive strategies for high-risk individuals. By targeting the molecular machinery that drives colorectal tumor development, statins offer a promising, accessible, and well-understood option for further research in cancer therapy.

This research opens the door to larger clinical studies to explore how best to integrate statins into cancer care. If successful, this approach could provide a cost-effective strategy for reducing the global burden of colorectal cancer, which remains a significant health challenge.

Reference:

Tripathi S., Gupta E., Naik R., Khare S., Mir R., Kamat S., Galande S. Statins exhibit anti-tumor potential by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget. 2025; 16: 562-581. Retrieved from https://www.oncotarget.com/article/28755.