Grand Rounds

Could Statins Reduce Risk for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Data on statin use and prevention of ovarian cancer is inconclusive
- There is a meta-analysis suggesting that statin use may be beneficial
Akinwunmi et al. (International Journal of Cancer, 2018) determined whether statin can lower the risk for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)

Secondary analysis of New England Case Control study
- Women with ovarian cancer and healthy controls living in Eastern Massachusetts or New Hampshire
- Enrollment phases: 1992–1998, 1998–2002 and 2003–2008
cases from controls (regardless of statin use) and statin users and non‐users (among controls).
Data collection included
- Sociodemographic background | Reproductive and family history | Medical and history | Medications used for at least 6 months
Exposure: Statin use
Unconditional logistic regression examined the association
Results adjusting for the matching factors and other covariates

2,040 cases with EOC | 2,100 matched controls
Women using statins had a reduced risk for ovarian cancer
- Adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.68 (95% CI, 0.54-0.85),
Risk reduction was most apparent in women
- Exposed to lipophilic statin beginning ≥50 years of age
- Exposed for 2-4.9 years
Statin use was associated with lower risks for both serous and non-serous histologic subtypes
The strongest effect was seen for mucinous and mixed epithelial subtypes
The association between statins and EOC
- Appeared following 10 years of use
- Remained when adjusted for statin indication and use of other medications

Compared to non-users, women who used statins had 32% lower risk of ovarian cancer
The effect was seen for both serous and non-serous EOC and especially mucinous EOC
Authors acknowledge that more research is needed, but the increased use of statins in postmenopausal women could result in decreasing ovarian cancer rates if the relationship is indeed causal

Direct to Your Email/Text

Learn More »

< Previous

Next >