Israel.- A medication widely used to treat erectile dysfunction could have a new medical use. This is suggested by a study published in the scientific journal Cancer Research, which identified a potential effect to limit the spread of cancer.
The research analyzed the potential of sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, to hinder the formation of metastases, that is, the process by which cancer cells detach from the original tumor and spread to other organs of the body.
Although Viagra was originally developed to treat hypertension and chest pain associated with circulation problems, over the years it became one of the best-known medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
According to the study, sildenafil limits the ability of cancer cells to use cholesterol, a substance essential for forming new cell membranes and facilitating their growth and spread.
The researchers explain that the drug blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which increases the levels of a molecule known as cGMP. In addition to improving blood flow, this mechanism also alters the transport of cholesterol within cells.
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As a consequence, cancer cells have less cholesterol available to develop and invade other tissues, which could reduce their ability to generate metastasis.
The study also found that the combination of sildenafil with statins, medications used to lower cholesterol, could enhance this effect. While sildenafil hinders the use of available cholesterol, statins reduce the production of this substance in the body.
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Likewise, the analysis of a clinical database showed greater survival among cancer patients who had used sildenafil, especially when the treatment was combined with statins.
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The findings are supported by experiments with mouse cancer models, human cell cultures, and the analysis of medical information collected over 20 years from nearly five million people.
Despite the encouraging results, specialists clarify that this is preliminary research and that clinical trials in humans are still necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of sildenafil as a complementary treatment against metastasis. Therefore, the medication should not be used for this purpose without the indication and supervision of a healthcare professional.
