Study finds Viagra may block cancer spread by cutting cholesterol supply

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute discovered that sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, can impede metastasis by limiting cancer cells' access to cholesterol.

A study published in Cancer Research reports that sildenafil, the compound behind Viagra, may suppress tumor metastasis by disrupting cholesterol availability to cancer cells. Led by Yarden Ariav and Ayelet Erez at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the researchers combined experiments in mouse cancer models, cultures from human patients, and analysis of 5 million Israeli health records from Clalit Health Services. They found that blocking phosphodiesterase-5 raises cGMP, which attaches to a cholesterol-transport protein, reducing the fat cancer cells need for membrane formation after detaching from primary tumors.

The medical-record analysis indicated that sildenafil users had better survival rates, particularly when paired with statins that lower LDL cholesterol. The authors emphasize that a patient’s metabolic state and existing drugs can influence cancer biology, highlighting the potential of combining sildenafil with cholesterol-lowering therapy. This work adds to a growing list of non-oncologic drugs showing promise against cancer progression.