Statin use is associated with a reduced incidence of colorectal cancer expressing SMAD4
Menée aux Pays-Bas à l'aide de données de 2 registres portant sur 94 753 témoins et sur 69 272 utilisateurs de statines, cette étude analyse l'association entre cette utilisation et le risque de cancer colorectal, par sous-type moléculaire
Background: Long-term use of statins is associated with a small reduced risk of colorectal cancer but their mechanism of action is not well understood. While they are generally believed to act on KRAS, we have previously proposed that they act via influencing the BMP pathway. The objective of this study was to look for associations between statin use and the risk of developing colorectal cancer of a particular molecular subtype. Methods: By linking two registries unique to the Netherlands, 69,272 statin users and 94,753 controls were identified and, if they developed colorectal cancer, their specimens traced. Colorectal cancers were molecularly subtyped according to the expression of SMAD4 and the mutation status of KRAS and BRAF. Results: Statin use was associated with a reduction in the risk of developing colorectal cancer regardless of molecular subtype (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.66–0.89) and a larger reduction in the risk of developing SMAD4-positive colorectal cancer (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42–0.82). There was no relationship between statin use and the risk of developing colorectal cancer with a mutation in KRAS and/or BRAF. Conclusions: Statin use is associated with a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer with intact SMAD4 expression.