Can Statins Transform Human Colon Cell Behavior? Unveiling the Insights from Raman Imaging and AFM.

Over time, advancements in cancer diagnostics and therapies have been remarkable. This study compares normal (CCD-18Co) and cancerous (CaCo-2) cell lines from the human gastrointestinal tract, analyzing their nanomechanical and biochemical properties to identify potential cancer biomarkers that could enhance oncological diagnostics. The research examines the effects of 24 and 48 hours of 10uM supplementation with statins—mevastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin—on the biochemical and nanomechanical properties of these cells, employing Raman imaging and AFM techniques. The innovative integration of these techniques provides a comprehensive biochemical and nanomechanical characterization of normal, cancerous, and statin-treated cancer cells, highlighting how different statins influence cellular properties.

A primary objective of this study was to identify statistically significant differences between normal and cancerous colon cells, including cancer cells treated with mevastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin, based on their vibrational features. We systematically explored how Raman imaging and spectroscopy respond to normal and cancerous human cells, both untreated and treated with statins. Our approach demonstrates a fast, cost-effective method for visualizing cellular structures and performing virtual staining. By incorporating Raman intensity into pseudo-color images, these high-resolution, label-free images allow direct analysis of cellular substructures, facilitating the detection of biochemical changes characteristic of cancer progression and aiding in the assessment of anti-cancer therapies.

Using Raman data, we analyzed and compared the vibrational features of normal, cancerous, and statin-treated cancer cells. Average spectra and Raman band intensity ratios for key biological components—proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids—enabled detailed insights into the molecular changes associated with cancer and its treatment.

Our findings provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that long-term use of lipophilic statins may influence cancer incidence, including specific cancer types. Additionally, statins may enhance chemotherapy sensitivity and improve clinical outcomes for patients already diagnosed with cancer.