Statins Shown to Improve Outcomes for People with CLL/SLL Taking Ibrutinib

Even though newer targeted therapies like ibrutinib (Imbruvica) have led to better results than older chemotherapy for people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), outcomes can still be improved. Researchers are exploring other factors that might help, including statins.

Statins are medicines commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol and protect heart health. Studies suggest statins may also benefit people with cancer, including CLL/SLL, by slowing cancer cell growth and reducing inflammation.

Since many people with CLL/SLL already take statins, researchers wanted to know if using them alongside ibrutinib could make a difference, especially because ibrutinib has been linked to a higher risk of heart-related side effects. Learn about their findings below and what they might mean for you. 

Studying the impact of statins on people with CLL/SLL

The analysis combined data from four large clinical trials and included 1,467 adults with CLL/SLL who were receiving ibrutinib with or without other therapies. At the start of treatment, 29% of these patients were taking statins, including simvastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, or lovastatin. 

The researchers found: 

• People taking statins lived longer overall. After two years, 89% of people on statins were alive compared to 82% of those not on statins.
• Statin use was linked to a longer time before the cancer progressed. Two years after starting treatment, 54% of statin users had not experienced cancer progression and were alive compared to 46% of non-users.
• Importantly, taking statins did not increase the risk of severe side effects while on ibrutinib.  

For people with CLL/SLL, these results matter because they suggest that a common medicine already used for heart health may also improve patient outcomes without adding extra risk.  

Why this could be important for patients

This is the first large study to show a clear link between statin use and better survival in people with CLL/SLL being treated with ibrutinib. While these results do not mean statins should be prescribed to everyone with CLL/SLL, they highlight a promising connection between heart health and cancer care.

Because many people with CLL/SLL are seniors and may already have heart conditions, it is common for them to be prescribed statins. Knowing that statins might also support better cancer outcomes may provide extra reassurance. 

Things to keep in mind

The study was based on people already taking statins, not on those who were newly prescribed them for cancer treatment. This means we cannot yet say for certain whether starting a statin will directly improve outcomes for everyone with CLL/SLL. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand exactly how statins interact with cancer cells. 

If you are living with CLL/SLL and already take a statin, these results may be encouraging. If you are not on a statin, do not start one without talking to your healthcare team. Statins are usually prescribed to manage cholesterol and heart health, not as a standard CLL/SLL treatment. 

Key takeaways for people with CLL/SLL

People with CLL/SLL who were taking statins at the start of treatment with ibrutinib lived longer and had a longer time before the cancer progressed. Statins did not appear to increase the risk of serious side effects. More studies are needed, but these findings suggest statins may have a positive role in cancer outcomes in addition to their known heart benefits. 

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Source: 

• Statin use and survival in CLL/SLL treated with ibrutinib: pooled analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials