Statins proven safe, effective for HCC prevention in chronic liver disease patients

Use of statins is safe and may even reduce the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among adults with chronic liver disease, a recent study has shown.

To assess the safety and efficacy of statin use for HCC prevention among patients with chronic liver disease, the investigators performed a systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrial.gov) up to 15 April 2020. They identified all studies that examined statin use and the risk of HCC among chronic liver disease patients, regardless of language, region, publication date, or status.

A total of 583 citations were identified, of which 13 studies (n=1,742,260 participants; seven types of statins) met the inclusion criteria and evaluated the efficacy and safety of statins in chronic liver disease patients for HCC prevention. All eligible studies were observational (two nested case-control and 11 cohort studies), and no randomized trial was included.

Statin use was associated with a lower pooled risk of HCC development (hazard ratio [HR], 0.57, 95 percent CI, 0.52–0.62; I², 42 percent). There was consistent reduction in HCC among statin users in cirrhosis, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections. Additionally, the risk of statin-related myopathy was comparable between statin users and nonusers (HR, 1.07, 95 percent CI, 0.91–1.27).

“Given the bias with observation studies, prospective randomized trial is needed to confirm this finding,” the investigators said.

HCC is a deadly complication among chronic liver disease patients.