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Atorvastatin and Celecoxib Synergistic Against Colon Cancer Cells
Atorvastatin and celecoxib synergistically induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colon cancer cells, according to a report in the May 1st International Journal of Cancer.
"Taking statins and NSAIDS may produce synergistic beneficial effect in the reduction of risks for colon cancer and other cancer types," Dr. Chung S. Yang told Reuters Health. "However, this point needs to be studied more extensively in observational epidemiological studies and in future clinical trials."
Dr. Yang from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, and colleagues used two human colon cancer cell lines to investigate the interaction between atorvastatin and celecoxib and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the synergy.
Atorvastatin and celecoxib interacted synergistically to inhibit growth of both cell lines, the researchers report, and both cell lines were more sensitive to the synergy than were normal human intestinal epithelial cells.
The drug combination arrested colon cancer cells in G0/G1 phase and increased apoptosis of colon cancer cells, the report indicates.
"The strong synergy between atorvastatin and celecoxib on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis is of great importance for potential increase of chemoprevention and treatment efficacy by this combination in humans for colorectal cancer," the researchers explain. "The increased efficacy could also reduce celecoxib dose to minimize possible detrimental side effects, while receiving beneficial effect of atorvastatin in cardiovascular health."
Dr. Yang said his group is "interested in establishing collaborations with clinicians to conduct human cancer chemoprevention trials with atorvastatin and celecoxib in the future."
Furthermore, Dr. Yang added, "Drs. Xi Zheng and Allan Conney in our department also observed the inhibitory effect of the combination of atorvastatin and celecoxib in the inhibition of prostate cancer progression in a xenograft model. We are planning a human trial on prostate cancer prevention in collaboration with Dr. Robert Dipaola."