The risk of cancer in users of statins

Category: Epidemiology/Molecular Epidemiology

Authors: M. R. Graaf, A. B. Beiderbeck, A. C. G. Egberts, D. J. Richel, H.-J. Guchelaar; Academic Medical Centre, Univ of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, Netherlands

Abstract: Several　pre-clinical studies suggested a role for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in the treatment of cancer. The objective of the present case-control study was to compare the risk of incident cancer between users of statins and users of other cardiovascular medication. Data were used from the PHARMO record linkage system, a database that contains drug dispensing records from community pharmacies and linked hospital discharge records of a defined population of approximately 300,000 residents of eight Dutch cities. The study base included all patients with one or more prescriptions for cardiovascular drugs in the period between January 1st, 1985 and December 31st, 1998. Cases were identified as patients in the study base with a diagnosis of incident cancer and matched with up to six controls on gender, year of birth, geographical region, duration of follow-up, and index date. The analysis was adjusted for diabetes mellitus, number of hospitalizations, co-morbidity, use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, NSAIDs, sex hormones, and other lipid-lowering drug therapies. In the study base, 3,129 cases were identified and matched to 16,976 controls. Statin use was associated with a risk reduction of cancer of 20 % (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.80; 95 % CI: 0.66-0.96). Statins were protective when used longer than 4 years (adjusted OR 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.44-0.93) or when more than 1350 Defined Daily Doses were taken (adjusted OR 0.60; 95 % CI: 0.40-0.91). Patients that had their statin therapy stopped returned to baseline risks within six months. This observational study provides evidence for a protective effect of statins against cancer.