BIRC5 and breast cancer: Several mechanisms have been proposed for statin-induced cell death in breast cancer cells including an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS)42, the downregulation of survivin expression43, increased nitric oxide synthase activity (iNOS or NOS II) via geranylgeranylation44, and G1/S cell cycle arrest due to an increase in p21(Waf1/Cip1)45.