Mechanistic Study of Inhibitory Effects of Metformin and Atorvastatin in Combination on Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro and in Vivo.

Metformin is a commonly used drug for the treatment of type II diabetes and atorvastatin is the most prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of metformin and atorvastatin in combination on human prostate cancer cells cultured in vitro and grown as xenograft tumor in vivo. Metformin in combination with atorvastatin had stronger effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis in PC-3 cells than either drug alone.

Combined effects of atorvastatin and aspirin on growth and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Epidemiologic studies indicate the use of either statins or aspirin have beneficial effects in prostate cancer patients. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of atorvastatin and aspirin alone or in combination in human prostate cancer cells cultured in vitro and grown as xenograft tumors in severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mice. The growth and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells were determined by the trypan blue exclusion and propidium iodide staining assays.