Duke University Research Suggests Cholesterol Drug Could Impact Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine have discovered that the fluid accumulation in the abdomen, known as ascites, which is common in advanced ovarian cancer, may protect cancer cells from ferroptosis, a form of cell death. The study, published in Nature Communications, indicates that ascites provides a survival advantage to cancer cells, aiding their spread. The research also suggests that bezafibrate, a cholesterol-lowering drug, could disrupt this protection, potentially making cancer cells more vulnerable to existing treatments. The findings highlight the role of ascites in promoting tumor survival and dissemination within the peritoneal cavity, a frequent site of metastasis in ovarian cancer.