Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Tel Aviv have identified a potential new application for sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, in preventing the spread of cancer. Originally developed to treat reduced blood flow and widely used for erectile dysfunction, sildenafil may also inhibit cancer metastasis through a mechanism linked to the drug’s vasodilatory properties.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Research, highlights how sildenafil affects cancer cell metabolism, particularly their use of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a crucial component of cellular membranes and plays a significant role in enabling cancer cells to detach from primary tumors, migrate through the body, and invade distant organs. By limiting cancer cells’ ability to utilize cholesterol, sildenafil appears to reduce their metastatic potential.

The Weizmann Institute researchers note that restricting cancer cells’ access to cholesterol makes it more difficult for metastases to form. Furthermore, the study suggests that combining sildenafil with statins—drugs that reduce cholesterol production—may amplify this effect. Analysis of digital health records indicated that patients using sildenafil exhibited improved survival rates, an effect that increased when the drug was used in conjunction with statins.

“This combination could not only limit cancer cells’ access to existing cholesterol but also prevent them from producing new cholesterol, potentially enhancing the anti-metastatic effect,” the team explained.

Ayelet Erez, one of the lead scientists on the project, emphasized that cancer progression depends not only on genetic mutations within tumor cells but also on the patient’s metabolic state and medications they are already taking. This insight opens avenues for repurposing current drugs to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

While the findings are preliminary and require further clinical investigation, the study introduces the possibility that a well-known medication like sildenafil could complement existing cancer therapies by targeting the metabolic processes that enable metastasis.