[cdnirene]

Statins & mortality in multiple myeloma

by cdnirene on Thu Oct 20, 2016 1:32 pm

I don't feel competent to summarize the results of the study, so I'll just post the reference and abstract for this recent Journal of Clinical Oncology article:

Sanfilippo, KM, et al, "Statins Are Associated With Reduced Mortality in Multiple Myeloma," Journal of Clinical Oncology, Sep 19 2016 (full text of article)

Abstract:

Purpose - The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have activity in one of the pathways influenced by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, which are associated with improved survival in multiple myeloma. To understand the benefit of statins in multiple myeloma, we evaluated the association between statin use and mortality in a large cohort of patients with multiple myeloma.

Patients and Methods - From the Veterans Administration Central Cancer Registry, we identified patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 1999 and 2013. We defined statin use as the presence of any prescription for a statin within 3 months before or any time after multiple myeloma diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the association of statin use with mortality, while controlling for known multiple myeloma prognostic factors.

Results - We identified a cohort of 4,957 patients, of whom 2,294 received statin therapy. Statin use was associated with a 21% decrease in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.86; P < .001) as well as a 24% decrease in multiple myeloma-specific mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.86; P < .001). This association remained significant across all sensitivity analyses. In addition to reductions in mortality, statin use was associated with a 31% decreased risk of developing a skeletal-related event.

Conclusion - In this cohort study of US veterans with multiple myeloma, statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk of both all-cause and multiple myeloma-specific mortality. Our findings suggest a potential role for statin therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. The putative benefit of statin therapy in multiple myeloma should be corroborated in prospective studies.

[TerryH]

Re: Statins & mortality in multiple myeloma

by TerryH on Thu Oct 20, 2016 3:12 pm

Thanks for letting us know about the study, Irene.

Multibilly also mentioned it in the great thread he's been contributing to about his "fenofibrate (Tricor) 'trial'" for his smoldering myeloma.

There was a trial started 10 years ago in Australia that was going to look at whether Lipitor had any effect on multiple myeloma. I don't think, however, that any results were ever reported from the trial.

I suspect the Australian trial was started because some lab research suggested Lipitor (atorvastatin) could be active against multiple myeloma and some other blood cancers:

Cafforio, P, et al, "Statins activate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in human lymphoblasts and myeloma cells," Carcinogenesis, May 2005 (full text of article)

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Statins & mortality in multiple myeloma

by Ron Harvot on Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:15 pm

Many people are on statins. I had been on Lipitor for years before my multiple myeloma diagnosis.

This is interesting, but based on my own personal experience, I remain skeptical.