From the Research
Association between Statins and Basal Cell Carcinoma
The relationship between statin use and the risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been investigated in several studies, with varying results.
- A 2023 meta-analysis 1 found that lipophilic statin exposure was associated with a higher risk of BCC (OR: 1.05, P = 0.036), while hydrophilic statin exposure was associated with a reduced risk of BCC (OR: 0.93, P = 0.031).
- A 2018 study 2 found no significant association between statin use and BCC risk (HR: 1.04,95% CI: 0.99-1.09), although there was a trend towards higher BCC risk with longer duration of statin use in men.
- A 2009 study 3 found no significant association between statin use and subsequent BCC risk (adjusted HR: 1.02,95% CI: 0.92-1.12).
- A 2022 whole-population study from Iceland 4 found no significant association between overall statin use and BCC risk (adjusted OR: 1.03,95% CI: 0.95-1.12).
- Another 2022 prospective cohort study 5 found a decreased risk of BCC with ever use of statins (hazard ratio: 0.89,95% CI: 0.79-0.996).
Subgroup Analysis and Statin Types
Some studies have investigated the association between specific types of statins and BCC risk.
- The 2023 meta-analysis 1 found that exposure to lovastatin (OR: 1.18, P = 0.048) or simvastatin (OR: 1.11, P < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of skin cancer, including BCC.
- The 2022 whole-population study from Iceland 4 found that simvastatin was associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, but not BCC.
- The 2022 prospective cohort study 5 found no significant effect modification by pigmentary traits or residential UVR exposure on the association between statin use and BCC risk.