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Statins and Risk for Colorectal Cancer

Results from this case-control study suggest that statins offer protection against colorectal cancer.

Results of in vitro studies have suggested that HMG-CoA reductase, which is inhibited by statin drugs, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells. Randomized trials of statins for hyperlipidemia have had insufficient power to shed light on specific cancer outcomes. To determine whether statin use is associated with reduced risk for colorectal cancer, researchers performed this case-control study in Israel that involved 1953 patients with colorectal cancer and 2015 age- and sex-matched controls.

Statin use (defined as 5 years of statin exposure) was reported by 12% of controls and by 6% of patients. After adjustment for potential confounders (such as use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hypercholesterolemia, family history of colorectal cancer, ethnicity, and amount of vegetable consumption), statin use was associated with significantly reduced risk for colorectal cancer (odds ratio, 0.53).

Comment: In this case-control study, long-term use of statins appeared to protect against colorectal cancer. However, the analysis might not have accounted for every potential confounder, and not all previous observational studies have demonstrated this association. Until we have evidence that is more definitive, it would be premature to prescribe statins for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

— Allan S. Brett, MD

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine May 27, 2005

Citation(s):

Poynter JN et al. Statins and the risk of colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med 2005 May 26; 352:2184-92.

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