Statins And Fibrates Reviewed For Action Against Melanoma

Main Category: Statins
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 05 Nov 2006 - 6:00 PST

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A review of all randomized trials of statins and fibrates concluded that their impact on melanoma prevention remains uncertain.

Statins and fibrates are often used for prevention of heart disease, and some research has suggested trial participants taking these medications have a lower melanoma incidence. Robert P. Dellavalle, M.D., Ph.D., of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colo., and colleagues reviewed 20 randomized controlled trials in which statins or fibrates were used as a therapy for 6 months or more.

The authors found that 127 melanomas occurred in the 39,426 participants in the trials involving statins compared to 68 in a control group around half the size, and 27 melanomas occurred in the 31,394 participants in the trials using fibrates versus 20 in a control group around half the size. They suggest that data neither proves nor disproves the idea that these medications prevent melanoma.

Contact: Robert Dellavalle

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Other highlights in the November 1 JNCI

Note: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is published by Oxford University Press and is not affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. Attribution to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is requested in all news coverage. Visit the Journal online at http://jncicancerspectrum.oxfordjournals.org/.

Contact: Andrea Widener
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

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