Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer. When melanoma metastasizes, or spreads to other parts of the body, it can be deadly. Recently, genetic tests have been developed to identify which melanomas are at high risk of metastasizing. However, if the test says that the melanoma is high risk, there is currently no treatment to stop it. We used a computer program to search for drugs that might stop the process of metastasis before it happens. We discovered that statins, a drug normally used to treat high cholesterol, could reverse genetic patterns that are related to metastasis. We also found that if a patient is taking a statin when their melanoma is diagnosed, they are much less likely to have the melanoma spread throughout their body.

Our research directly addresses the Fiscal Year 2020 Melanoma Research Program Focus Area of Therapeutic Prevention (interrupting disease progression), because we are finding ways to stop metastasis. Our idea is groundbreaking because it uses genetics to predict new treatments that could stop metastasis and investigates the mechanisms by which these treatments halt the metastatic process.

This research proposal will fully test the theory that statins can prevent metastasis. We will use de-identified medical records from the Veterans Health Administration system to measure how good statins are at reducing metastasis in patients with melanoma. We will also analyze the records to determine which patients benefit most from statin therapy. Finally, we will use genetics and animal models of melanoma to determine how statins might be preventing metastasis.

Since statins are Food and Drug Adminisration-approved, cheap, and easy to take, our research could have immediate life-saving impact. In addition, our investigation may show that statins can be used in other ways to treat melanoma or other cancers. Last, because we are researching the causes of metastasis, we may discover other treatments to stop the spread of cancer.