The Statins: Multifunctional Antithrombotic and Antineoplastic Drugs

James E. Splichal; Jason A. Stamm; Deborah L. Ornstein

doi:10.1055/s-2003-40964

Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Table of Contents

Semin Thromb Hemost 2003; 29(3): 259-274
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-40964

The Statins: Multifunctional Antithrombotic and Antineoplastic Drugs

James E. Splichal¹ , Jason A. Stamm² , Deborah L. Ornstein^2,3

¹Department of Hematology and Oncology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base
²Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas
³Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology Unit, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Statins are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and have shown remarkable activity in preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The versatility of statins is increasingly being appreciated, however, and lowering cholesterol is only one attribute among many shared by this class of drugs. Most statins appear to have antithrombotic activity that is unrelated to the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, and several have significant antitumor effects. This article reviews the laboratory and clinical evidence that statins have antithrombotic and anticancer activity, discusses the ways in which these two activities intersect, and proposes novel uses for statins for the treatment of conditions other than hypercholesterolemia.

KEYWORDS

Statins - thrombosis - cancer

Full Text

References

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