Scientific Publications Database

Article Title: Effect of statin use on oncologic outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lebo, Nicole L.; Griffiths, Rebecca; Hall, Stephen; Dimitroulakos, Jim; Johnson-Obaseki, Stephanie
Journal: HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK Volume 40 Issue 8
Date of Publication:2018
Abstract:
BackgroundPreclinical and early-phase clinical studies have suggested an oncoprotective role of statins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The purpose of this study was to determine whether incidental statin use in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative HNSCC is predictive of improved oncologic outcomes.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 1194 patients from the Ontario Cancer Registry diagnosed with HNSCC from 2007 to 2012 was performed using linked databases from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between patients taking statins and controls.ResultsPatients with statin exposure demonstrated improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.758; P = .0011; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.642-0.896), and DSS (HR 0.693; P = .0040; 95% CI 0.539-0.889) compared with those not on statins at the time of diagnosis.ConclusionIncidental statin use at the time of diagnosis of HPV-negative squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx, hypopharynx, and nasopharynx demonstrated improved OS and DSS.