Cholesterol metabolism plays a pivotal role in gastrointestinal cancers, from fueling tumor growth, facilitating metastatic niche formation, shaping tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, to promoting immunotherapy resistance. Paradoxically, cholesterol may also exert context-dependent protective effects. Statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, function through inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Beyond their cholesterol-lowering effects and well-established safety profile, statins have demonstrated pleiotropic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and immunomodulatory effects. These additional effects have further sparked growing interest in repurposing statins for cancer treatment. Indeed, both preclinical and clinical findings have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of statins in gastrointestinal cancer treatment, which may function through metabolic regulation as well as immunomodulation. In this review, we focus on the translational potential of statin repurposing in gastrointestinal cancers, with particular emphasis on their roles in modulating tumor immune evasion. We also explore emerging strategies such as statin-based nanoparticle formulations designed to enhance drug delivery and synergize with immunotherapies. By integrating evidence from preclinical models, clinical cohorts, and ongoing trials, we critically assess the therapeutic potential of statins in gastrointestinal malignancies and highlight their promise as accessible, low-toxicity adjuncts in cancer treatment.
Keywords: HMG-CoA reductase; cholesterol; gastrointestinal cancer; immunotherapy; statins.
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Leukocyte Biology.