Cancer patients taking certain immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors live longer, but these drugs can sometimes speed up heart disease. Scientists discovered that a natural supplement called red yeast rice might protect the heart from this side effect. In a study using mice, red yeast rice reduced harmful inflammation and slowed down the buildup of plaque in arteries when combined with cancer treatment. This suggests red yeast rice could be a helpful addition to cancer therapy, but more research in humans is needed before doctors can recommend it.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether red yeast rice can prevent heart disease from getting worse in mice receiving cancer-fighting drugs that boost the immune system
  • Who participated: Male laboratory mice that were genetically prone to heart disease and had cancer tumors. They were fed a high-fat diet to mimic human heart disease conditions
  • Key finding: Mice that received both cancer treatment and red yeast rice had significantly less plaque buildup in their arteries and less inflammation compared to mice that only received cancer treatment
  • What it means for you: Red yeast rice may help protect the heart in cancer patients taking certain immunotherapy drugs, but this is early-stage research in animals. Human studies are needed before this can be recommended as a treatment

The Research Details

Researchers created mice that had both cancer tumors and heart disease to mimic what happens in some cancer patients. They gave some mice a cancer-fighting drug called anti-PD-1, some mice received this drug plus red yeast rice, and others served as controls. The scientists then examined the mice’s blood, heart tissue, and immune cells to see what happened.

They also performed laboratory experiments using immune cells called macrophages (which are white blood cells that help fight disease). These cells were exposed to conditions that mimicked what happens in cancer patients receiving the drug, then treated with red yeast rice to see if it helped.

The researchers measured inflammation markers, plaque buildup, cell damage, and the activity of specific proteins involved in inflammation to understand how red yeast rice worked.

This approach is important because it combines two major health problems that cancer patients face: the need to treat cancer and the risk of developing heart disease from that treatment. By studying both conditions together in mice, researchers can better understand how to protect patients’ hearts while treating their cancer

This is a laboratory and animal study, which means it’s early-stage research. The findings are promising but haven’t been tested in humans yet. The researchers used multiple methods to measure their results, which strengthens the findings. However, mice don’t always respond the same way humans do, so results may differ in people

What the Results Show

The cancer-fighting drug (anti-PD-1) caused significant problems in the mice’s hearts: it increased plaque buildup in arteries by a large amount, increased harmful fats in the plaques, and caused more immune cells to invade the artery walls. The drug also increased inflammatory chemicals in the blood that promote heart disease.

When red yeast rice was added to the treatment, these harmful effects were substantially reduced. The plaque buildup was smaller, there was less fat accumulation, and fewer immune cells invaded the artery walls. The levels of inflammatory chemicals also decreased.

In the laboratory experiments with immune cells, red yeast rice reversed the harmful changes caused by the cancer drug. It improved cell survival, reduced inflammatory chemicals produced by the cells, and prevented the cells from becoming overly activated in ways that promote inflammation.

The research identified the specific biological pathway that red yeast rice uses to protect the heart. It works by blocking a protein called RhoA, which normally triggers inflammation-promoting signals in immune cells. By blocking this pathway, red yeast rice reduces the inflammatory response that damages blood vessels

Previous research has shown that checkpoint inhibitor cancer drugs can cause heart disease as a side effect. This study adds new information by showing that red yeast rice, which has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, may help prevent this specific complication. The findings align with other research showing that red yeast rice has anti-inflammatory properties

This study was only done in mice, not humans, so results may not apply directly to people. The sample size of mice wasn’t specified in the paper. The study doesn’t tell us the best dose of red yeast rice or how long it needs to be taken. It also doesn’t compare red yeast rice to other potential treatments that might protect the heart. Additionally, the study was conducted in laboratory conditions that may not exactly match what happens in the human body

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, red yeast rice shows promise for protecting heart health in cancer patients taking checkpoint inhibitor drugs. However, this is preliminary evidence. Cancer patients should NOT start taking red yeast rice without talking to their doctor first, as it may interact with cancer medications or other treatments. More human studies are needed before this can be recommended as standard care

This research is most relevant to cancer patients taking checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drugs who also have heart disease risk factors. It may also interest cardiologists and oncologists who treat these patients. People without cancer or those taking different cancer treatments should not assume these findings apply to them

This is animal research, so it’s impossible to say how quickly benefits would appear in humans. If human studies are eventually conducted and show positive results, it would likely take several years before red yeast rice could be recommended as a standard treatment alongside cancer therapy

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If a doctor approves red yeast rice use, track daily supplement intake (yes/no), any side effects, and monthly cholesterol and inflammation markers if available through blood tests
  • Work with your healthcare team to establish a consistent daily red yeast rice supplementation schedule if approved, and log it in the app alongside your cancer treatment schedule to monitor any interactions or side effects
  • Maintain a long-term log of supplement adherence, cardiovascular symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue), and periodic blood work results to assess inflammation and cholesterol levels over time

This research is preliminary and was conducted in laboratory mice, not humans. Red yeast rice should not be used as a treatment for heart disease or cancer without explicit approval from your healthcare provider. Red yeast rice may interact with cancer medications, blood thinners, and other drugs. If you are a cancer patient taking checkpoint inhibitor drugs, discuss any supplements with your oncologist and cardiologist before starting. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.