Red yeast rice has been promoted as a safe and effective alternative to statin therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Red yeast rice has the potential to slow prostate cancer growth by inhibiting cholesterol and androgen biosynthesis. There is a strong rationale for the use of RYR in patients being managed with active surveillance for localized, low risk, prostate cancer. To date, no human studies utilizing RYR in this setting have been reported.
