Statin use is associated with a reduced incidence of colorectal adenomatous polyps

摘要

Background Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to have potentially useful anticancer effects against colorectal cancers in experimental studies, but clinical studies have shown inconsistent results on colorectal cancer incidence. Most colorectal cancers are believed to develop through the polyp-cancer sequence. We hypothesized that statins may protect against the development of adenomatous polyps, and this may contribute to the apparent cancer-protective effects.