Impact of dyslipidemia and lipid‐lowering therapy with statins in patients with neuroendocrine tumors
Dyslipidemia is a potential unfavorable prognostic factor in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); conversely, statins proved to have antiproliferative effects in NET cell lines and could be a helpful therapeutic strategy for these patients. The main objective of this observational cohort retrospective study is to explore the associations between dyslipidemia and NET progression and evaluate the potential influence of statins in this context. 393 patients with histologically confirmed gastroenteropancreatic or bronchopulmonary NETs from six Italian centres didicated to NET diagnosis and therapy were included. The cohort included 123 patients with dyslipidemia, 81 of which were taking statins. Clinicopathological data, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment details as well as the prevalence, timing of dyslipidemia and hypolipemic therapy were collected. The main outcome measure used is progression-free survival (PFS). Among the 393 patients, 123 (31.3%) had dyslipidemia. Statins were used by 81 (65.8%) dyslipidemic patients, mostly atorvastatin. Median PFS was 87 months overall, 124 months in non-dyslipidemic patients, and 72 months in dyslipidemic patients (p = .268). Dyslipidemic patients on statins had a significantly better median PFS (108 months) than those not on statins (26 months; p = .024). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was also evaluated, but no significant differences were found. In conclusion, while PFS was lower in dyslipidemic patients compared to non-dyslipidemic patients, the difference was not statistically significant. Statin therapy was associated with improved PFS among dyslipidemic patients, suggesting a potential antiproliferative effect of statins in NETs. These findings warrant further investigation to substantiate the role of statins in the management of NETs.
Authors
- Annamaria Colao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6986-266X)
- Pasquale Dolce (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7588-6067)
- Emanuele Di Simone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6373-8163)
- Pasqualino Malandrino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2474-0954)
- Rossella Mazzilli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6707-3413)
- Elisa Giannetta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3614-6151)
- Marialuisa Appetecchia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2124-1335)
- Antongiulio Faggiano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9324-3946)
- Roberta Modica (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3768-5803)
- Tiziana Feola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1066-0064)
- Francesco Panzuto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2789-4289)
- Giulia Puliani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2899-9146)
- Francesco Ferraù (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7472-6598)
- Antonio Prinzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7021-9860)
- Rosa Lauretta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6179-3866)
- Maria Rinzivillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0489-7735)
- Nicolò Panattoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4162-937X)
- Flaminia Russo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4703-4358)
- Marco Di Muzio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2641-4044)
- Virginia Zamponi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2422-9673)
- Franz Sesti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3850-627X)
- Ylenia Alessi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7562-7981)
- Gianfranco Di Iasi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9737-9912)
Institutions
- University of Messina (IT)
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo (IT)
- University of Catania (IT)
- Ospedale Garibaldi (IT)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Neuroendocrinology
- Published
- 2024-12-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.13485
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.77
Funders
- Ministero della Salute