Statins Use and Risk for Brain Metastasis From Lung Cancer

• Published in: Cancer investigation Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 68 - 72
• Main Authors: Leigh, D., Eken, J., Beal, JR, Ganti, AK, Sahmoun, AE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01-01-2011; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain metastasis; Brain Neoplasms - secondary; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - secondary; Chi-Square Distribution; Cohort; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Hydrophobic; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; North Dakota; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma - secondary; Statins; North Dakota
• ISSN: 0735-7907; 1532-4192
• DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2010.512592

Laboratory data suggest an association between statins and risk of brain metastasis (BM) in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Our retrospective cohort included 252 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and 55 (22%) patients subsequently developed BM. The risk of BM was significantly higher in younger patients (p < .0007). The multivariable Cox model did not show a significant association between statin use and BM from lung cancer (Hazard-Ratio (HR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68-2.13). Future studies should focus on late stage NSCLC and examine the incidence of BM among statin users at the time of death.