Simvastatin suppresses renal cell carcinoma cells by regulating DDX5/DUSP5

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the highest mortality rate of genitourinary cancers and the incidence of RCC has risen steadily. Simvastatin has been reported to exhibit anti-tumor activity in a variety of cancers; however, its roles and molecular mechanisms in RCC remain unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of simvastatin on RCC. Methods We used a variety of methods to test the changes of RCC cell lines’ viability, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis after treatment with simvastatin. Results We found that simvastatin not only inhibited RCC cell viability, migration, and invasion, but also regulated the cell cycle and induced apoptosis. We also observed abnormal expression of DDX5 and DUSP5 in RCC cell lines. Mechanistic investigation showed that simvastatin significantly suppressed DDX5 and promoted DUSP5 expression. Conclusion Together, these results provide a novel mechanism underlying simvastatin-induced inhibition of RCC via regulation of the DDX5/DUSP5 axis.