Background and aims: Previous research has revealed the role of statins in cancer prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between statins' exposure and the incidence and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC).
Methods: Relevant articles until January 2022 were systematically searched in PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for comparison in GC with or without statins' exposure. The primary referred outcomes were the occurrence of GC and the survival rate. A total of 19 articles were included in this meta-analysis.
Results: The analysis showed that statins were associated with reduced GC incidence and increased GC survival rate. Subgroup analysis suggested a decreased incidence of GC in both Eastern and Western countries exposed to statins. Furthermore, the risk of GC was reduced in those exposed to lipophilic statins, yet not in those exposed to hydrophilic statins.
Conclusions: Statins were found to help lower the incidence and improve the survival rate of GC. Furthermore, the incidence of GC was influenced by the population's origin region and the type of statins used.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; meta-analysis; prognosis; risk; statins.