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Statins may reduce breast cancer risk, particularly hormone receptor-negative disease

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Abstract

Estrogen and progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer disproportionately affects young women and African Americans, has a poor prognosis, and lacks an effective chemoprevention agent. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, known as “statins,” are appealing candidate agents for breast cancer chemoprevention because of their demonstrated safety after decades of widespread use. In preclinical studies, statins inhibit multiple cancer-associated pathways in both hormone receptor (HR)-negative and HR-positive cell lines. Epidemiologic studies of statins and breast cancer show inconsistent results, with some suggesting a reduction in HR-negative breast cancer incidence in lipophilic statin users. However, large meta-analyses show no association between statin use and overall risk of breast cancer, although most did not evaluate tumor HR status. Multiple phase 1 and 2 prevention studies of statins for breast cancer risk reduction are ongoing. If results are promising, they may justify a randomized trial of statins for breast cancer chemoprevention, with a focus on HR-negative disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, HRP Redwood Building, Room T254A, 259 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Allison W. Kurian

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  1. Shaveta Vinayak
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  2. Allison W. Kurian
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Correspondence to Allison W. Kurian.

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Vinayak, S., Kurian, A.W. Statins may reduce breast cancer risk, particularly hormone receptor-negative disease. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 1, 148–156 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-009-0021-5

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