Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40050889›Full record

ArticleCancer cell international2025

Repurposing pitavastatin and atorvastatin to overcome chemoresistance of metastatic colorectal cancer under high glucose conditions.

Wei-Ming Cheng, Po-Chen Li, Minh Tran-Binh Nguyen, Yu-Teng Lin, Yu-Tang Huang, Tai-Shan Cheng, Thi-Huong Nguyen, Thu-Ha Tran, Tzu-Yi Huang, Thu-Huyen Hoang and 12 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer cell international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. 27-Hydroxycholesterol in cancer development and drug resistance.Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry · 2025
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

22 authors.

Wei-Ming Cheng *Program in Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Po-Chen Li *Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Minh Tran-Binh Nguyen *Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Yu-Teng LinInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Yu-Tang HuangInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Tai-Shan ChengInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Thi-Huong NguyenInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Thu-Ha TranInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Tzu-Yi HuangProgram in Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Thu-Huyen HoangInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Sin-Yu ChenInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Yu-Chieh ChuTaipei First Girls High School, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
Chih-Wei WuTaipei First Girls High School, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
Ming-Fen LeeDepartment of Nutrition, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan.
Yi-Shiou ChiouMaster Degree Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
Hsiao-Sheng LiuMedical Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
Yi-Ren HongGraduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
Peter Mu-Hsin ChangInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Yu-Feng HuInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
Ying-Chih ChangGenomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
Jin-Mei LaiDepartment of Life Science, College of Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan. jmlai@mail.fju.edu.tw.
Chi-Ying F HuangProgram in Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. cyhuang5@nycu.edu.tw.

Funding

China Medical University, Taiwan CMU111-MF-44Department of Health, Taipei City Government 11201-62-016Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital PL202108010VIntegrated Research Plan of the National Science and Technology Council MOST 111-2320-B-030-008Integrated Research Plan of the National Science and Technology Council MOST111-2320-B-039-019-MY3Integrated Research Plan of the National Science and Technology Council MOST111-2320-B-A49-036Integrated Research Plan of the National Science and Technology Council NSTC 113-2321-B-A49-024Melissa Lee Cancer Foundation MLCF_V113_A11302Taipei City Hospital TPCH-113-45The Ministry of Education, Higher Education SPROUT Project for the Cancer and Immunology Research Center 112W31101
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant clinical challenge because of drug resistance, which can adversely impact patient outcomes. Recent research has shown that abnormalities within the tumor microenvironment, especially hyperglycemia, play a crucial role in promoting metastasis and chemoresistance, and thereby determine the overall prognosis of patients with advanced CRC.

methodsThis study employs data mining and consensus molecular subtype (CMS) techniques to identify pitavastatin and atorvastatin as potential agents for targeting high glucose-induced drug resistance in advanced CRC cells. CRC cells maintained under either low or high glucose conditions were established and utilized to assess the cytotoxic effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin, both with and without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). CRC 3D spheroids cultured were also included to demonstrate the anti-drug resistance of pitavastatin and atorvastatin.

resultsA bioinformatics analysis identified pitavastatin and atorvastatin as promising drug candidates. The CMS4 CRC cell line SW480 (SW480-HG) was established and cultured under high glucose conditions to simulate hyperglycemia-induced drug resistance and metastasis in CRC patients. Pitavastatin and atorvastatin could inhibit cell proliferation and 3D spheroid formation of CMS4 CRC cells under high glucose conditions. In addition, both pitavastatin and atorvastatin can synergistically promote the 5-FU-mediated cytotoxic effect and inhibit the growth of 5-FU-resistant CRC cells. Mechanistically, pitavastatin and atorvastatin can induce apoptosis and synergistically promote the 5-FU-mediated cytotoxic effect by activating autophagy, as well as the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway while decreasing YAP expression.

conclusionThis study highlights the biomarker-guided precision medicine strategy for drug repurposing. Pitavastatin and atorvastatin could be used to assist in the treatment of advanced CRC, particularly with CMS4 subtype CRC patients who also suffer from hyperglycemia. Pitavastatin, with an achievable dosage used for clinical interventions, is highly recommended for a novel CRC therapeutic strategy.

Indexed as

AtorvastatinColorectal cancerConsensus molecular subtypeDrug resistanceHyperglycemiaPitavastatin

Identifiers

PMID40050889
PMCPMC11887183

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.