Statins could help fight breast cancer

Statins are commonly used in the field of heart disease to lower cholesterol. New research published in the journal Cell suggests that statins could be used in the fight against breast cancer as well. It also points to a specific group of breast cancer patients who are likely to benefit the most from treatment, at whom statins could be targeted.

Dr Caitlin Palframan, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “We’re excited that existing drugs, like statins, are showing potential in the fight against breast cancer. This research identifies a relatively large group of breast cancer patients who could be targeted with statins, though we will need to see the results of clinical trials to know whether this will work.”