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Exploring the Association Between Statin Use and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: an Updated Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Conventional lipid-lowering medications known as statins are the most widely prescribed medications globally used to reduce plasma cholesterol levels in prevention of cardiovascular events. In several rodent studies, statins were found to be carcinogenic. A few epidemiological researches, in contrast to rodent studies, found no correlation between the incidence of PC and statin utilization. This study aimed to systematically explore the relationship between statins use and the risk of pancreatic cancer.

 Recent Findings

Few existing observational studies and real-world evidence data suggest that statins may reduce the risk of cancer. However, studies investigating the association between statin use and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) occurrence are limited, and previous studies reported heterogeneous findings. In the present study, twenty-seven articles were included for final analysis (cohort = 12, case-control = 15) after the screening. Overall, the study findings revealed that statins use was not associated with the risk of developing pancreatic cancer (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.95); (I2 = 88.2%; p = 0.000).  

Summary

Findings from this meta-analysis results revealed that there is no relationship between the use of statins and pancreatic cancer risk. Non-significant results were found in the subgroup analysis with long-term use of statins (>5 years) and region (Asia, North America, and Oceana) in sub-group analysis.

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Abbreviations

PC:

prostate cancer

NOS:

New Ottawa Scale

MP:

mevalonate pathway

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India

    Varunraj Ponnala, Pavan Kumar Narapaka, Pavan Garapati & Sameer Dhingra

  2. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna, Bihar, India

    Gopal Vishwas

  3. Department of Medicine, Narayan Medical College and Hospital, Jamuhar, Bihar, India

    Adnan Imam

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Ponnala, V., Narapaka, P.K., Garapati, P. et al. Exploring the Association Between Statin Use and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: an Updated Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. Curr Pharmacol Rep 9, 167–176 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40495-023-00319-x

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