Cholesterol-busting statins are taken by up to eight million adults in the UK to lower their risk of heart and circulatory disease. Now, research suggests they may have a bonus protective effect. A study found that blood cancer patients who were taking the medication at the start of their treatment had a 61% lower risk of dying from their cancer, compared to those not taking statins.
The research involved 1,467 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, with an average age of 65. Patients were enrolled in one of four trials looking at the effects of a targeted cancer drug called ibrutinib.
The statins analysis adjusted for other factors that can influence survival such as age, sex, weight, disease severity and co-existing illnesses.
Regardless of those factors, patients taking statins were found to have a 61% lower risk of dying from their cancer, a 38% lower risk of dying from any cause, and a 26% lower risk of their disease progressing.
The study was led by Dr Ahmad Abuhelwa, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice and pharmacotherapeutics at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
He said: “These findings don’t allow us to say for certain that statins directly improve cancer outcomes.
“However, the fact that this association remained strong even after accounting for multiple factors makes it an important area for future research.”
Dr Abuhelwa said further studies should investigate how statins may influence cancer biology.
Statins work by reducing the amount of “bad” LDL cholesterol made by the liver and helping it to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
The study was published online in the journal Blood Advances.