Statins help kill prostate cancer cells

New York -- The drugs used to lower cholesterol -- statins -- help improve the effectiveness of radiation in killing prostate cancer cells, a U.S. study found.

Senior author Dr. Michael J. Zelefsky a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, found patients with prostate cancer who receive high-dose radiation treatment and also take statin drugs have a 10 percent higher chance of being cured of their cancer 10 years after diagnosis compared to those who didn't take the medication.

The study found the greatest benefit of the statins was observed in patients who had more aggressive or advanced forms of prostate cancer.

"We were, indeed, surprised by the findings that statins used by these patients for other conditions was shown to improve the effectiveness of radiation treatment in killing prostate cancer cells," Zelefsky said in a statement.

The findings were presented at a scientific session at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 49th annual meeting in Los Angeles.

© 2007 United Press International.