Other highlights in the Jan. 8 JNCI( Statin Use May Be Associated with R...),Health

Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk

Patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may be at lower risk for developing cancer, especially lung and colorectal cancers. However, it is unknown whether statins directly prevent cancer.

Laboratory studies have shown that statins may inhibit cancer cell growth, but evidence from observational studies has been inconsistent.

To investigate the association between statin use and cancer incidence, Wildon Farwell, M.D., of the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and colleagues collected data on patients in the VA healthcare system who were using statins and/or blood pressure-lowering medications.

Statin users had a reduced risk of all cancer types compared with non-statin users. The incidence of cancer was 9.4 percent among statin users and 13.2 percent among non-statin users.

Our findings support the hypothesis that statins may reduce the risk of cancer, in particular lung and colorectal cancers. This relationship may be affected by the [statin dose], the authors write.

Contact: Wildon Farwell, wildon.farwell@va.gov, (857) 364-6182

Receptor May Be New Target for Colon Cancer Drugs

A receptor on the surface of colorectal cancer cells is involved in tumor growth and could be a potential target for anticancer drugs.

Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor. VEGF is a protein that is involved in angiogenesisthe formation of blood vessels, which tumors need to surviveand it is a target for some cancer drugs. Recently, VEGF has been shown to directly affect cancer cells, with actions independent of that on blood vessels.

Lee Ellis, M.D., of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and colleagues assessed the expression of NRP2 in colorectal cancer cells and tried to determ
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