Overview
- A multi‑center study led by the Weizmann Institute and co‑authored by U.S. NCI investigators found that lab experiments, mouse models, human tumor cells and Israeli health records together link sildenafil use to lower metastatic capacity in cancer.
- The team reports that blocking the enzyme PDE5 raises cGMP, which binds the lysosomal cholesterol transporter NPC1 and traps cholesterol inside lysosomes so cancer cells have less membrane and mitochondrial cholesterol to power migration and invasion.
- Analysis of roughly 5 million members of Israel’s Clalit Health Services showed improved survival among sildenafil users, and the statistical signal was stronger when patients also used statins.
- In experimental models sildenafil typically did not shrink primary tumors but did reduce metastatic burden, and combining sildenafil with statins produced additive anti‑metastatic effects by blocking cholesterol export and synthesis.
- Authors and the National Cancer Institute stress the evidence is preclinical and observational, randomized clinical trials are needed before clinical use for cancer, and patients should not self‑medicate with sildenafil for cancer treatment.