Seminars in ophthalmology
-
Seminars in ophthalmology · Jan 2006
ReviewThe HMG-CoA reductase pathway, statins and angioprevention.
Angiogenesis is one of the earliest and essential phenotypes acquired by tumors during carcinogenesis and thus might be a potential target for chemoprevention. Key to developing antiangiogenic chemoprevention is to identify new molecular targets and effective angiogenesis inhibitors. ⋯ Recent research has found that statins promote endothelial death and inhibit experimental angiogenesis induced by growth factors or tumor, laying a foundation for developing statin-based angiopreventive strategies. This article reviews the biological effects of statins on endothelial cells and angiogenesis, possible underlying mechanisms and perspectives on future application of statins in preventing pathological angiogenesis.