Monday June 2, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is considered a risk factor for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers and decreased response of tumors to endocrine therapies. 

A report in Science suggests 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), a primary metabolite of cholesterol and an ER and liver X receptor (LXR) ligand, increases ER-dependent breast cancer growth and LXR-dependent metastasis of breast cancer in mouse models. 

Cytochrome P450 oxidase CYP27A1 catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol to 27 hydroxycholesterol and inhibitors of CYP27A1 can be used to help treat breast cancer.  

In human breast cancer specimens, expression of CYP27A1 has been associated with tumor grade.  In high grade tumors, high expression levels of cytochrome P450 oxidase CYP27A1 have been observed.

The report suggests that lowering circulating cholesterol levels or inhibiting its conversion to 27HC may help prevent or treat breast cancer.

Cholesterol lowering statins and risk of breast cancer

Does this report suggest that using statins to lower cholesterol helps prevent or treat breast cancer?  Apparently it does not. In fact, studies have associated long term use of statins with increased risk of breast cancer.  (David Liu, PHD)

Nelson ER, Wardell SE, Jasper JS, Park S, Suchindran S, Howe MK, Carver NJ, Pillai RV, Sullivan PM, Sondhi V, Umetani M, Geradts J, McDonnell DP. 27-Hydroxycholesterol links hypercholesterolemia and breast cancer pathophysiology, Science. 2013 Nov 29;342(6162):1094-8.