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Le statine non prevengono il cancro del colon

BackgroundStatins have anticancer activity in various cell types, including colon cancercells. Although epidemiologic data on the relationship between statin use andthe risk of colorectal cancer are limited, one case- control study reported a50% reduction in colorectal cancer risk among statin users. We conducted apopulation-based case-control study to assess this association with respect tostatin type, dose, and duration of use. Methods Case patients withadenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum were ascertained from participatinghospitals in Massachusettsand the Massachusetts Cancer Registry from January 1, 2001, through November30, 2004. Age-, sex-, and precinct-matched control subjects were chosen from Massachusetts townlists. Information on statin use and other relevant data were obtained bytelephone interview. We used multivariable conditional logistic regressionmodels to estimate odds ratios (ORs). All tests for statistical significance weretwo-sided. Results Among 1809 case patients and 1809 matched control subjects,regular use of statins for at least 3 months was not associated with the riskof colorectal cancer (OR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.78 to 1.09).There was no consistent trend across dose or duration of use (e.g., for>/=10 years of use, OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.51 to 1.45). The risk of stage IVcancer was, however, statistically significantly lower among statin users thanamong nonusers (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.91). There was no evidence of aninteraction between statin use and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.Conclusions Overall, use of statins did not appear to be associated withreduced risk of colorectal cancer. The reduced risk of stage IV cancer observedamong statin users requires confirmation.Leggil'articolo