As a result of co-administration of a hyperlipidemia treatment statin and an anticancer drug (oxaliplatin) to a tumor animal model, it was confirmed that the surrounding immune cells were greatly activated. In addition, when a statin and an immunotherapy (anti-PD-1 antibody) were administered together, the tumor size was significantly reduced and the survival rate was significantly increased compared to when the immunotherapy alone was administered. photo = KIST
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced on the 24th that it has proven that statins, used as a treatment for hyperlipidemia, are also effective against ‘KRAS’ mutant cancer.
The research team led by Kim In-san, head of the Theragnosis Research Center at KIST and Cho Yong-beom, a professor at Samsung Medical Center, administered an anticancer drug (oxaliplatin) and a statin in combination to an animal model of tumor. Then, it was confirmed that the KRAS mutant cancer was selectively removed and the surrounding immune cells were activated.
In addition, by changing the environment around the cancer that is resistant to the existing anticancer immunotherapy, the effect of the existing anticancer immunotherapy was increased.
Statins are drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels. This study confirmed the possibility of drug re-creation.
KRAS mutations are one of the main causes of non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. It is difficult to treat because of its frequent mutation and complex structure. Immunotherapy, which is effective against most cancers, does not exert much power against KRAS mutant cancers. The only treatment was Amgen’s Lumacross, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May for non-small cell lung cancer.
The researchers plan to study the optimal use and effective drug delivery system through additional clinical studies.
Kim In-san, head of KIST, said, “If the clinical trial is successful, it will be a starting point for solving the high medical costs of anti-cancer immunotherapy.
Correspondent Choi Ji-won
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