ONCOmmunity

The association between inflammatory biomarkers and statin use among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

By: Kayla R Getz, Emily Bellile, Katie R Zarins, Steven B Chinn, Jeremy M G Taylor, Laura S Rozek, Gregory T Wolf, Alison M Mondul

Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
2022-02-08; doi: 10.1002/hed.27040

Abstract

Background

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and cytokines are associated with prognosis among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may improve HNSCC prognosis, particularly in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cases, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

Statin use was collected from medical records for HNSCC cases (2008-2014). TILs were counted in tumor tissue, and a total weighted score (TILws) was created. Cytokines were measured in blood. The associations between statins and biomarkers were estimated using logistic (biomarker categories:

Results

We observed a positive association between statins and TILs among HPV-positive patients (TILws odds ratio [OR] = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.03-7.61), but no association among HPV-negative patients. We observed no association between statins and cytokines.

Conclusions

Statins may influence TILs in HPV-positive patients. This may be the mechanism through which they improve prognosis in HPV-positive HNSCC patients.