Losartan

Anybody have any information on Losartan.  My doc suggested I take it for possible hardening of arteries.  In addition, I found this as it relates to PC:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19517575

 

I take Losartan daily (75 mg) for high blood pressure and it works well. Controls BP with no real side effects for me. It is in a class of drug like Cardura that also has show some positive benefit for prostate health. I've not read the information you linked to but it sounds very possible and a nice side benefit.

I can't think of a downside to that drug or a reason not to take it. You'll just have to watch your BP for awhile to make sure it doesn't drop too much.

It doesn't cost much (there's a generic version my insurance lets me have for $10 co-pay for 90 supply).

All the best,
Andrew

I, too, take Losartan. My insurance wouldn't cover my former BP meds (Crestor, then Zocor, then....) so switched me to Losartan. No complaints. BP varies between 120 and 137.

OK, please TRANSLATE the gibberish on that link: I can't tell by the language used whether Losartan PROMOTES tumor formation or INHIBITS it.

Can somebody clairfy??

Post Edited (sequoiaranger) : 8/8/2012 10:58:39 AM (GMT-6)

Just so we have what it says:
---------------------
BACKGROUND: Paired homeobox 2 gene (PAX2) is a transcriptional regulator, aberrantly expressed in prostate cancer cells and its down-regulation promotes cell death in these cells. The molecular mechanisms of tumor progression by PAX2 over-expression are still unclear. However, it has been reported that angiotensin-II (A-II) induces cell growth in prostate cancer via A-II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and is mediated by the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) as well as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).

METHODS: Here we have demonstrated that A-II up-regulates PAX2 expression in prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cell lines resulting in increased cell growth. Furthermore, AT1R receptor antagonist losartan was shown to inhibit A-II induced PAX2 expression in prostate cancer. Moreover, analysis using pharmacological inhibitors against MEK1/2, ERK1/2, JAK-II, and phospho-STAT3 demonstrated that AT1R-mediated stimulatory effect of A-II on PAX2 expression was regulated in part by the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JAK II, and STAT3 pathways. In addition, we have showed that down-regulation of PAX2 by an AT1R antagonist as well as JAK-II and STAT3 inhibitors suppress prostate cancer cell growth.

RESULTS: Collectively, these findings show for the first time that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may promote prostate tumorigenesis via up-regulation of PAX2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, PAX2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of carcinomas such as prostate cancer via the down-regulation of its expression by targeting the AT1R signaling pathways.

OK...let me see if I have this right. Extracting a few key phrases from the "gibberish",

"...it has been reported that angiotensin-II (A-II) induces cell growth in prostate cancer.."

"...AT1R receptor antagonist losartan was shown to inhibit A-II induced PAX2 expression in prostate cancer."

it would *APPEAR* that Losartan does indeed help (however much) to reduce prostate cancer cell growth.

Anyone see it differently?? I would hate to be "wrong". I had been prescribed Losartan, so of course I am interested in what its use might result in. I certainly don't want to be taking something that ENCOURAGES pc!!!!!

Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker, therefore it decreases the effect of angiotensin II.  That means, theoretically, losartan would be good for prostate cancer.

It is possible losartan can cause dry cough, but highly unlikely.  ACE-Is (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) are the drugs implicated most with dry cough.  That is why drugs like losartan and Benicar are often substituted in patients exhibiting that side effect with ACE-Is (lisinopril, captopril, ramipril, enalapril, etc).

Losartan is a very good drug for blood pressure and congestive heart failure.  It may have a beneficial effect on prostate cancer.

Good luck!

Paul