Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Oct 14: Men with advanced prostate cancer may live longer if they take statins alongside apalutamide and standard hormone therapy, a new study published in the European Medical Journal suggests. However, the study also warns of increased heart-related risks, particularly for patients with existing cardiovascular issues.

The analysis reviewed data from over 2,100 men across two major trials, SPARTAN and TITAN, covering metastatic hormone-sensitive and nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. All participants received hormone therapy, with some also taking apalutamide. Researchers compared survival outcomes between statin users and non-users.

Key findings:

• Improved survival: Statin users treated with apalutamide showed higher three-year survival rates—14% in the TITAN trial and 8% in the SPARTAN trial—compared to non-users.
• Heart risks: Statin use was linked to more serious cardiac events, highlighting the need for cardiovascular monitoring during treatment.

Researchers suggest statins may help by reducing inflammation, slowing cancer cell growth, and enhancing the effectiveness of hormone-blocking therapy. However, they emphasized that the benefits must be weighed against potential heart complications, especially in older patients or those with pre-existing heart disease.

Expert advice: Patients are encouraged to consult their doctors before starting statins, ensure regular heart and cancer monitoring, and consider personalized treatment plans.

The study underscores that while statins can extend life for some prostate cancer patients, careful cardiovascular assessment is crucial to ensure safety.