Statins are associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Several studies have shown that statins could have chemopreventive effects on HCC. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the effects of statins on the risk of HCC.


METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science through May 2012 and manually reviewed the literature. Studies were included if they evaluated and clearly defined exposure to statins, reported the incidence of HCC, and reported relative risks or odds ratios (ORs) or provided data for their estimation. Ten studies reporting 4298 cases of HCC in 1,459,417 patients were analyzed. Summary OR estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran's Q statistic and I(2) statistic.


RESULTS
Statin users were less likely to develop HCC than statin nonusers (adjusted OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.52-0.76), although the results were heterogeneous (P = .01, I(2) = 59%). This heterogeneity could be accounted for by study location (Asian population [n = 4]: adjusted OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.42-0.64; Western population [n = 6]: adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53-0.85) and design (observational studies [n = 7]: adjusted OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.49-0.73; clinical trials [n = 3]: adjusted OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.62-1.45).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on meta-analysis, statin use is associated with a reduced risk of HCC, most strongly in Asian but also in Western populations. Randomized clinical trials in populations at high risk for HCC (especially in Asian populations with hepatitis B) are warranted.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Siddharth
S
Singh
Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Preet Paul
PP
Singh
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Abha Goyal
AG
Singh
Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Mohammad Hassan
MH
Murad
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: sanchez.william@mayo.edu.
William
W
Sanchez
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol