This study explores the role of lipids and cholesterol metabolism during prostate cancer progression in men with advanced prostate cancer managed with hormonal therapy. It estimates changes in blood lipids to identify new biomarkers for prediction of disease progression and to improve understanding on how prostate cancer cells survive in hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The study further estimates possible clinical benefits of a lipid-targeted intervention with established cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin. Based on previous promising research results risk of prostate cancer-specific death may be lower if atorvastatin is used in conjunction with hormonal therapy. This study will show whether such benefit is great enough to justify incorporating atorvastatin in clinical management. If so, the study will improve treatment options available for prostate cancer patients regardless of frailty or income status. The study is led by professor Teemu Murtola from Tampere University.

2020

2024