A RECENT meta-analysis suggests that statin use is associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The study, which analyzed data from 25 studies involving 46,154 patients, found that concomitant statin use was linked to significantly better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Researchers conducted a systematic review of published literature up to June 20, 2024, identifying studies that reported hazard ratios (HRs) for OS and PFS in patients receiving ICIs with or without statins. The pooled results showed that statin users had a 20% reduction in the risk of death (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71–0.92) and a similar improvement in disease progression (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69–0.92). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.
These results highlight the potential of statins as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment, particularly in patients receiving ICIs. Statins, commonly used to manage cholesterol, have known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which may contribute to their beneficial effects in oncology.
While these findings are promising, the authors emphasize the need for further randomized controlled trials to establish a definitive causal relationship and determine the optimal use of statins in cancer therapy. Emerging data should be considered when developing treatment strategies for patients receiving immunotherapy.
Reference: Lioa Y et al. Concomitant Statin Use and Survival in Patients With Cancer on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Meta-Analysis. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025. doi:10.1200/OP-24-00583.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
