Viagra May Block a Hidden Pathway Cancer Cells Need To Spread

Weizmann Institute scientists found that sildenafil may disrupt a newly identified cholesterol-transport pathway cancer cells use to metastasize.

By inhibiting PDE5 and changing cGMP signaling, the drug reduced cancer cells’ ability to access cholesterol needed for spread in lab and mouse studies.

Analysis of about 5 million Clalit health records linked sildenafil use — especially with statins — to improved cancer survival.

The findings suggest sildenafil, alone or with statins, could be repurposed to make metastasis harder by interfering with cholesterol handling.