Editorial: Colorectal cancer and statins: reflections from the end of the road

Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Dec;104(12):3024-6. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2009.572.

Abstract

Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States. In addition to their established lipid-lowering and cardiovascular protective effect, some case-control studies have suggested that statins could have chemopreventive effects for colorectal cancer (CRC). In this issue of the Journal, Singh et al. examined this question using a potentially powerful population-based "electronic cohort" design, which essentially eliminates many of the biases inherent in case-control and traditional cohort studies. They found no evidence of a chemoprotective effect of statin use, a finding that is consistent with previous cohort and interventional studies that have addressed this issue. We conclude that the best-designed studies of the issue indicate that statin use is neither a major risk factor nor a protective factor for CRC and that we have come very near to the end of the road for the hypothesis relating statins to CRC risk.

Publication types

  • Kommentar
  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Manitoba / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Registries
  • Research Design
  • Social Class

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors