1/ While blocking cell reproduction of cancer cells with a statin might seem like a good idea, blocking isoprenoid production with a statin can induce cancer. Ras is a family of proteins in human cells. They are well known because they are implicated in cancer. (contd)
2/ They are molecular switches that activate and deactivate other cell proteins that control communication, growth & replication. For ras proteins to function, isoprenoids are added to them. This is what is known as “prenylation”. (contd)
3/ Mutations that inhibit ras prenylation cause death or defective growth of cells that can become cancer. Statins block prenylation of ras (also called p21 ras) proteins. In fact Akira Endo the scientist working on the first statin admitted that overproduction of p21 (contd)
4/ proteins or mutations that abolish their GTPase activity led to uncontrolled cell division. Because statins induce an increase in Reductase, this can lead to overproduction of ras proteins leading to cancer. On the other hand, complete blockade of prenylation of ras (contd)
5/ proteins can abolish their GTPase activity causing cancer.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
It’s also stated that the aim is to make cancer cells less able to take in and use the nutrients (e.g. glucose) they need from their surroundings, although statins have been proven (contd)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
It’s also stated that the aim is to make cancer cells less able to take in and use the nutrients (e.g. glucose) they need from their surroundings, although statins have been proven (contd)
