Fluvastatin is an HMGCR (HMG-CoA reductase) inhibitor. The compound is described to inhibit cell proliferation, illicit apoptosis, and protect against oxidative stress. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) studies indicate that Fluvastatin induces G2/M phase arrest. In the presence of Fluvastatin, HCC cells show a decrease of Bcl-2 and procaspase-9 expression, and an increase in Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cytochrome c.
