Scientists have identified a potential new use for sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Early research suggests it may interfere with cancer cell movement.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research on July 14, 2026. Researchers examined how sildenafil could affect processes linked to cancer metastasis.
Cancer metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread from their original location to other parts of the body. The researchers found that sildenafil may interfere with a process cancer cells need for movement.
The study found that sildenafil disrupted cholesterol trafficking inside cancer cells. Cholesterol plays an important role in several cellular processes.
Researchers tested sildenafil in multiple mouse cancer models. They also studied its effects in human cancer-cell systems.
Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases levels of a molecule called cGMP. The researchers found that increased cGMP interfered with NPC1.
NPC1 is a protein involved in moving cholesterol out of lysosomes. Lysosomes are structures inside cells that help process various materials.
When NPC1 activity was affected, cholesterol accumulated inside lysosomes. At the same time, less cholesterol was available elsewhere within the cancer cells.
According to the researchers, this cholesterol shortage affected cellular structures and energy processes. These changes reduced cancer cells’ ability to move.
The researchers also examined health records from cancer patients. They found significantly better survival among patients who had used sildenafil.
An additional benefit was observed among patients who had also taken statins. Statins are commonly prescribed medicines that lower cholesterol levels.
The researchers suggested that sildenafil and statins may work through different mechanisms. Sildenafil disrupts cholesterol transport inside cells.
Statins reduce the production of new cholesterol. Their combination produced additive anti-metastatic effects during the experiments.
However, the findings do not establish Viagra as a cancer treatment. The experimental evidence came from mouse models and human cancer-cell systems.
The patient findings were based on observational health-record data. Such research can identify associations but cannot prove that sildenafil caused improved survival.
Further clinical studies are needed to determine whether sildenafil could safely affect cancer metastasis in humans. Researchers will also need to establish appropriate doses and treatment conditions.
The findings should therefore not be interpreted as evidence that patients should use Viagra to treat cancer.
The research instead points to a possible new area for cancer investigation. Scientists may explore whether disrupting cholesterol transport can limit cancer-cell movement.
The study was conducted by researchers from the US National Cancer Institute and other research partners.
The research also demonstrates how existing medicines can be studied for potential new applications. However, laboratory findings must undergo extensive testing before clinical use.
The researchers found that sildenafil affected biological processes connected with cancer-cell movement. The results provide early evidence for a possible anti-metastatic effect.
More research will be required before any conclusions can be made about its effectiveness in cancer patients.
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For now, Viagra remains a medicine with established uses unrelated to cancer treatment. Its possible role in preventing cancer spread remains an area for further scientific investigation.
