Preliminary results of a study presented at the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium have reported that statin-treated patients have improved breast cancer outcomes, possibly by lowering systemic inflammation. This is the first study in which statin treatment (which is designed to manage cholesterol) has been evaluated in relation to breast cancer prognosis in type 2 diabetes patients. Decreased survival has been reported in breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome and also in patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (which are a marker of inflammation) at diagnosis. Statins lower CRP in non-cancer patients, leading the authors to investigate whether statin use is associated with lower CRP levels at time of breast cancer diagnosis and also with improved breast cancer outcomes in women with diabetes. The study included 98 of the 225 diabetic women diagnosed with breast cancer during the period 2003 to 2007 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Also included were 196 matched controls who had breast cancer but did not have diabetes. Medical records were reviewed and tumor pathology, outcomes, existing comorbidities and drug therapy were recorded. Plasma CRP levels were determined in specimens provided at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. The study period began at diagnosis and ended with either (1) first breast cancer recurrence; (2) death; or (3) the last date of follow up. The women were followed for a median of 30 months.

Breast cancer patients with diabetes receiving statins to treat high cholesterol were found to have better breast cancer-free survival than patients not receiving any cholesterol management medication. Patients taking statins also had lower overall death (from any cause). The authors were in the process of analyzing statin therapy in relationship with baseline CRP levels and breast cancer prognosis as of the symposium. The authors conclude that statin-treated patients in the study had improved breast cancer outcomes. The study findings to date suggest that statins improve breast cancer prognosis, potentially by lowering overall inflammation.

Please see our article on type 2 diabetes and breast cancer for more information.