Statins and Red Yeast Rice

[PCaWarrior]

1. Mechanisms of Action

• Cholesterol-Lowering Effects: Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, leading to reduced serum cholesterol levels. Lower cholesterol may decrease prostate cancer cell membrane synthesis and proliferation.

• Red Yeast Rice (RYR) contains the active ingredient in Lovastatin. Only a few brands have therapeutic amounts. As of 2025, HPF Cholestene was one of the best brands.

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Statins exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially hindering cancer progression.

• Induction of Apoptosis: Statins can induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through mechanisms such as down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 and survivin.

2. Research & Studies

• Epidemiological Studies:

o A meta-analysis indicated that statin use is associated with a reduced risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancer.

o A study demonstrated that statin use in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was linked to improved cancer-specific and overall survival.

• Mechanistic Studies:

o Research has shown that statins can down-regulate oncogenes such as MYC in prostate cancer cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for their anti-cancer effects.

3. Overall Quality of Evidence

• Epidemiological Evidence: Rated B. Observational studies and meta-analyses suggest an inverse association between statin use and advanced prostate cancer risk. However, these studies are observational and cannot establish causation.

• Mechanistic Evidence: Rated B. Preclinical studies provide plausible biological mechanisms for statins' protective effects against prostate cancer.

4. Conclusion

• Statins have shown potential in reducing the risk and progression of advanced prostate cancer, supported by epidemiological and mechanistic studies. However, the evidence is primarily observational, and causation cannot be definitively established.

5. Common Side Effects

Statins are generally well-tolerated but can cause side effects, including:

• Muscle-related Symptoms: Such as myalgia, myopathy, or, rarely, rhabdomyolysis.

• Liver Enzyme Elevations: Occasional increases in liver enzymes, usually asymptomatic.

• Gastrointestinal Issues: Including nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.

[petabyte]

Thanks for posting this!

I'm seeing my (onco)cardiologist and MO in May an will ask to try Atorvastatin. We have only 4 statins available, 2 of which are lipophilic.

perplexity.ai/search/we-hav...

Atorvastatin emerges as the most suitable option due to its lipophilic nature, which studies suggest may provide superior protection against prostate cancer recurrence. Its demonstrated association with reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer makes it particularly relevant for patients concerned about cancer outcomes. While atorvastatin does undergo CYP450 metabolism, potentially increasing the complexity of drug interactions, this concern is partially mitigated by starting at lower doses and performing regular monitoring. The patient's near-optimal LDL level suggests that a moderate dose might be sufficient, which could help minimize tolerability issues associated with higher doses.

[PCaWarrior in reply to petabyte]

It's been so long I forgot why I settled on Lovastatin.... Wait, I remember now! This isn't a common side effect but Atorvastatin gave me horrible insomnia. I think I tried Rosuvastatin next. Same thing. Then Simvastatin. Short half-life. But even at a tiny dose in the morning I had insomnia.

Very likely won't affect you though. My doctor had never heard of someone reacting like I did.

[Thunderball1]

I feel fine on 80 mg pd atorvastatin. I am on active surveillance treatment meaning I am treating myself with various repurposed drugs and supplements. My intention is to shrink what tumor is there altogether.