Cannarella R, et al. World J Mens Health. 2023 Jun;41:e59. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230034

Agarwal A, et al. World J Mens Health. 2024 Jan;42(1):202-215. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230076

Objective: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Recent reports demonstrate an anticancer effect induced by statins on lung and prostate cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Simvastatin can serve as chemotherapeutic agent against human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of simvastatin against breast cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay. The related mechanism of cell death was further determined by trypan blue staining, morphological changes observation, and drug combination index. Results: The results showed that simvastatin treatment substantially induced cell death in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Simvastatin exhibited a highly cytotoxic effect on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 with half-maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC50) 8.9 μM and 4.5 μM respectively. Consistently, we observed antiproliferative effect of Simvastatin was associated with apoptosis on breast cancer cell lines by determination of morphological changes. Moreover, this drug demonstrated a synergistic activity with doxorubicin on triggering cell death in MCF7 cells, but not in MDA-MB-231. Conclusion: Simvastatin has a potent cytotoxic effect resulting in the death of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, demonstrating its potential as a new candidate for cancer drug.

Rambhatla A, et al. World J Mens Health. 2025 Jan;43(1):92-122. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230339

Introduction: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common and chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit and has a multifactorial pathology, including activities of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Antibiotic resistance has become a major concern in dermatology daily practice, and the ability of biofilm formation by both bacteria is suggested to increase antibiotic resistance in acne. Purpose: Our aim was to analyze the comparison of antibiotic resistance between biofilm-forming (BF) and non-biofilm-forming (NBF) strains of C. acnes and S. epidermidis towards seven antibiotics commonly used for acne. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study involving 60 patients with AV. Samples were obtained from closed comedones on the forehead using the standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) method at the Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic Dr. Hasan Sadikin in Bandung, Indonesia. Isolates were cultured and identified before undergoing the biofilm-forming test using the tissue culture plate method. Antibiotic susceptibility testing for each antibiotic was then performed using the disc diffusion method. Results: The incidence of antibiotic resistance to clindamycin in BF and NBF C. acnes isolates was 54.5% (p=1.00), while in BF and NBF S. epidermidis isolates, it was 54.5% and 45.5% respectively (p=0.67). The incidence of antibiotic resistance to erythromycin and azithromycin in BF and NBF C. acnes isolates was 54.5% and 63.6% respectively (p=1.00), whereas for S. epidermidis BF and NBF isolates, it was 54.5% (p=1.00). There was no resistance observed to tetracycline, doxycycline, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole in all groups. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in resistance against seven antibiotics between the C. acnes and S. epidermidis in BF and NBF groups. Furthermore, although statistically not significant, some resistances were observed against clindamycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin. Consequently, the use of these three antibiotics should be judiciously regulated.