Statin Answers

Statin use does not cut risk of colorectal cancer

Contrary to findings from laboratory research and a recent epidemiologic study, results of a large case-control study showed no reduction in the overall risk of colorectal cancer with statin use.

However, "statin use was associated with a reduced risk of stage IV colorectal cancer. This was completely unexpected," lead author Dr. Patricia F. Coogan, from the Boston University School of Medicine, told Reuters Health.

Exactly why this would be the case is unclear, but Dr. Coogan speculated that while the drugs do not prevent the development of cancer per se, they do inhibit the transformation into more advanced forms.

As reported in the January 3rd issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the researchers compared statin use between 1809 case patients, entered in the Massachusetts Cancer Registry, and 1809 matched controls, chosen from Massachusetts town lists. Information was acquired via telephone survey.

Regular statin use for 3 months or longer had no apparent effect on the overall risk of colorectal cancer, the report indicates. Moreover, no consistent trends in statin dosage or duration of use were seen.

However, statin users were 51% less likely to have stage IV colorectal cancer than were nonusers, the report indicates.

Consistent with several reports, NSAID use was associated with a 21% decreased risk of colorectal cancer. No interaction between NSAID use and statin use was observed.

Although the new findings strongly suggest that statins are not useful for preventing colorectal cancer, Dr. Coogan said that her team's study still "does not provide the final word on this topic." Data from "prospective cohort studies are required to provide definitive answers," including verification of the link between statin use and the decreased risk of stage IV disease, she added.

J Natl Cancer Inst 2007;99:32-40.