gms | German Medical Science

Kongress Medizin und Gesellschaft 2007

17. bis 21.09.2007, Augsburg

Individual and joint use of statins and low-dose aspirin and risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based case-control study

Meeting Abstract

  • Michael Hoffmeister - Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg
  • Jenny Chang-Claude - Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg
  • Hermann Brenner - Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg

Kongress Medizin und Gesellschaft 2007. Augsburg, 17.-21.09.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. Doc07gmds161

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/gmds2007/07gmds161.shtml

Published: September 6, 2007

© 2007 Hoffmeister et al.
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Outline

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Background: Recent research has drawn attention to protective effects of statins on colorectal cancer (CRC) and possible joint effects with other drugs. Because statins are often administered in combination with low-dose aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the aim of this study was to investigate individual and combined effects of statins and low-dose aspirin on CRC risk.

Methods: We assessed use of statins and low-dose aspirin in 540 cases with histologically confirmed incident CRC and 614 control subjects in a population-based case-control study in Germany (DACHS study). Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the impact of regular use of either low-dose aspirin or statins, and of both drugs combined on CRC risk.

Results: We found modest risk reduction of CRC for regular use of low-dose aspirin (adjusted odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.55-1.07) and a stronger association with regular use of statins (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.99) or use of both drugs (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.36-1.10). Combined use of low-dose aspirin and statins was associated with risk reduction by 62% after 5 or more years (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-0.97).

Conclusions: Combinational chemoprevention with low-dose aspirin and statins might provide stronger risk reduction than either of the single drugs after at least 5 years use, but confirmation is needed, preferably in prospective cohort studies and eventually by randomized controlled trials.