The drug sildenafil, known as Viagra, might help stop cancer from spreading. Researchers found it could affect how cancer cells use cholesterol, which is vital for them to move and form new tumors.
Sildenafil was first developed for high blood pressure and chest pain. Now, new research suggests it could play a role in cancer treatment.
Viagra Disrupts Cancer Cells' Cholesterol Supply
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that sildenafil makes it harder for cancer cells to use cholesterol. Cholesterol is a key part of cell membranes. Cancer cells need a lot of it when they break away from a main tumor and travel to other parts of the body. By limiting their cholesterol, the drug could make it harder for new tumors to form.
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Start Your News DetoxSildenafil works by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This blockage increases levels of cGMP, a molecule that widens blood vessels. The researchers discovered that cGMP also attaches to a protein that moves cholesterol inside cells. This process reduces the amount of cholesterol available, which cancer cells are very sensitive to.
Combining Viagra with Statins
The research suggests that combining sildenafil with statins could be even more effective. Statins are common drugs that lower cholesterol production in the body. Using both drugs could limit the cholesterol already present and stop new cholesterol from being made. This dual action might further prevent cancer from spreading.
Evidence from Studies
This research involved scientists from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Clalit Health Services, and Rabin Medical Center. They gathered evidence from several sources. These included cancer models in mice, human cancer cells grown in labs, and medical data from about 5 million Clalit members over two decades.
The medical data showed that cancer patients who took sildenafil had better survival rates. This was especially true when they also took statins. These findings support the lab results.
Professor Ayelet Erez, a lead researcher, explained that they found a new way a known signaling molecule affects cholesterol in cells. This pathway can be used to stop cancer cells from spreading. Erez noted that cancer is influenced not just by cell mutations but also by a patient's overall health and other medications they take.
She emphasized that it's important to treat the whole patient, not just the cancer, to find the best therapy.
Deep Dive & References
PDE5a Inhibition Restricts Cancer Metastasis by Disrupting NPC1-Mediated Cholesterol Trafficking Through a Non-canonical cGMP-Dependent Pathway - Cancer Research, 2026
