Recent studies suggest that the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin--similar to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)--may promote angiogenesis by activation of a protein kinase Akt-nitric oxide synthase dependent pathway in endothelial cells, an effect that may be beneficial in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. However, induction of angiogenesis by VEGF contributes importantly to the blood supply of developing tumors and tumor metastases as well. Thus, it can be hypothesized that chronic systemic treatment of elderly patients with a drug that induces angiogenesis by a VEGF-like manner will also promote tumor growth.
Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.