Why the study?
Data on the impacts of statin use on survival outcomes and adverse events in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy were limited and conflicting.
Does concurrent oral statin use improve overall survival and reduce radiotherapy-related adverse events in adult patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy?
Population
Adults (≥ 18 years) with histologically confirmed cancer receiving radiotherapy across 21 studies
Comparison
Oral statin use during radiotherapy vs non-use
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 cohort studies and 2 randomized trials
Key result
Concurrent statin use did not significantly improve overall survival rates compared to non-use in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.99-1.69).
Authors
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Concurrent statin use does not improve survival with radiotherapy; leaves open cancer-specific effects and adverse-event signals for prospective trials.
Meta-Analysis (n=23,467)
Does concurrent oral statin use improve overall survival and reduce radiotherapy-related adverse events in adult patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy?
Odds Ratio: 1.29 (95% CI 0.99–1.69)
Concurrent statin use during radiotherapy does not significantly improve overall survival across all cancers, but its effects vary by cancer type and it may influence specific radiotherapy-related adverse events.
Shokr et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Cancer receiving radiotherapy (n=23,467). Oral statins vs. Non-users was evaluated on Overall survival (OS) rates (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.99, 1.69). Concurrent statin use did not significantly improve overall survival rates compared to non-use in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.99-1.69).