The Causality Between Statin Use and Reduced Mortality of Esophageal Cancer Remains Unproven

For decades, cumulative retrospective studies supported that statins were associated with reduced mortality of kinds of cancer. 1 Nielsen S.F. Nordestgaard B.G. Bojesen S.E. Statin use and reduced cancer-related mortality. N Engl J Med. 2013; 368: 576-577 PubMed Google Scholar Nevertheless, the hypothesis that statins could improve esophageal cancer outcomes remained debated. In the latest issue (August issue 8), a retrospective large-cohort study by Chen et al. 2 Chen W.M. Yu Y.H. Chen M. Shia B.C. Wu S.Y. Statin use during concurrent chemoradiotherapy with improved survival outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a propensity score-matched nationwide cohort study. J Thorac Oncol. 2023; 18: 1082-1093 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar adds favorable evidence to this hypothesis by revealing for the first time that statin use in line with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was associated with a 35% lower risk for all-cause mortality and a 37% lower risk for cancer-specific mortality in East Asian patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This finding is clinically significant in the context of limited therapeutic options and poor survival for advanced ESCC. Nevertheless, some points are worth noting in the study. Statin Use During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy With Improved Survival Outcomes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Nationwide Cohort StudyJournal of Thoracic OncologyVol. 18Issue 8PreviewTo determine the effect of statin use during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on overall survival and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)-specific survival in patients with ESCC receiving standard CCRT. Full-Text PDF Correspondence: The Causality Between Statin Use and Reduced Mortality of Esophageal Cancer Remains UnprovenJournal of Thoracic OncologyVol. 18Issue 11PreviewWe greatly appreciate your commendation of our study. Our research, as you correctly noted, extends beyond the scope of solely focusing on the effect of specific statins during standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) periods on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in East Asian patients.1 It indeed revealed a notable reduction in both cancer-specific and all-cause mortality rates through this intervention. It is essential to emphasize that the efficacy in mortality reduction is not uniform across all types of statins, highlighting the nuanced nature of their impact. Full-Text PDF