Statins May Lower Liver Cancer Risk in People with Fatty Liver Disease

Statins are commonly used to lower cholesterol, but new research shows they may also help reduce the risk of liver cancer in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is a condition where fat builds up in the liver and increases the chance of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.

A review of four studies involving nearly 300,000 people found that those taking statins had a 60% lower risk of developing liver cancer compared to those who did not use statins. The research also showed that lipophilic statins, a specific type of statin, were more effective in reducing cancer risk. The higher the dose taken over time, the greater the protection against cancer.

This study highlights the potential benefits of statins beyond cholesterol control. If you have MASLD, talk to your doctor about whether statins might be right for you.

DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i4.98543