Cholesterol-lowering drugs show promise in blood cancer survival, study finds
SHARJAH: A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Sharjah and the Burjeel Cancer Institute, in collaboration with prestigious international partners, has uncovered promising new evidence that statin medications—commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol—may significantly improve survival rates in patients with certain types of blood cancer.
The study, led by Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Therapeutics at the University of Sharjah, brought together expertise from Burjeel Cancer Institute (UAE), Harvard University, Moffitt Cancer Center (USA), and Flinders University (Australia).
The study revealed that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were taking statins at the start of modern targeted therapy (such as ibrutinib) were 61 percent less likely to die from cancer, 38 percent less likely to die from any cause, and 26 percent less likely to experience disease progression. Notably, statin use was not associated with an increased risk of severe side effects, supporting its safety profile in this context.
Dr. Karem Alzoubi, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, commented, 'This outstanding research reflects our faculty's dedication to producing impactful scientific studies that address pressing healthcare challenges and contribute to innovative solutions for complex diseases like cancer.'
He added, 'The University of Sharjah places the highest importance on supporting scientific research, offering advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art laboratories that enable our researchers to conduct world-class studies. The university also actively fosters collaboration with leading research institutions around the world, which helps promote knowledge exchange and elevate the quality of research outputs.'
Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, the study's lead author, explained, 'This is the first systematic evaluation of the link between statin use and survival outcomes in patients with CLL or SLL receiving modern targeted therapies. Our study analyzed data from 1,467 patients enrolled in four international clinical trials conducted between 2012 and 2019. The results highlight a strong association between statin use and improved survival, opening the door for future research that could ultimately benefit patients around the world.'
However, Dr. Abuhelwa cautioned, 'While these results are highly encouraging, we cannot recommend statins as a cancer treatment based on this study alone, as it is observational and does not establish causality. We need future clinical trials to confirm whether statins can be used as a supportive treatment in this setting'.
Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of the Burjeel Cancer Institute and co-author of the study, commented, 'As oncologists, we are always looking for safe and effective ways to improve patient survival. This study raises an exciting possibility—that a well-known and widely used medication like statins could enhance treatment outcomes without introducing additional risks.'
The findings of the study, which was published in the prestigious medical journal Blood Advances, have captured the attention of leading global media outlets, including The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Independent, Associated Press, and Medscape. The findings have also been translated into several languages, including Spanish, Polish, Bulgarian, and Japanese, reflecting their broad international reach and impact.
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