Even though the majority of women with ER-positive breast cancer responds to hormonal therapy about 12,000 per year see it return. Statins,a lipid-lowering medicine, can be used in the treatment of breast cancer as it may help prevent the disease returning, according to the researchers.

Scientists at Institute of Cancer Research in London have found out that cancer cells in these patients can use cholesterol rather than estrogen to grow and spread.

“During the course of treatment, ER-positive breast cancers, that are 'fed' by estrogen, often become resistant to standard hormone therapy,” said Dr. Lesley-Ann Martin from the institute.

She further added, “Our research has demonstrated that these cancer cells can use a cholesterol molecule to mimic estrogen so that they continue to grow without it.

"This is hugely significant. Testing the patient's tumor for 25-HC or the enzymes that make it may allow us to predict which patients are likely to develop resistance to hormone therapy, and tailor their treatment accordingly.”

Proliferation of cancer cells slowed by 30% to 50% when the experts blocked cholesterol production.

“Our study also demonstrates that statins could be a valuable addition to breast cancer treatment, and that this warrants investigation in clinical trials,” the doctor said.

The research is published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and have been supported by two studies involving patients. Currently, the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Research, Baroness Delyth Morgan, said, “This is a really crucial discovery.”

He further said, “But this is early research and greater clinical evidence is now needed to understand the potential risks and benefits of this approach.”

“This study breaks new ground in uncovering how some breast cancers continue to survive without estrogen and suggests that women could benefit from adding statins to standard anti-hormone treatments,” He concluded.

Also Read: 5 Foods To Lower Your Cholesterol

By Prajakt K.