LONDON, April 24: Cholesterol-lowering statins, taken by millions worldwide, may significantly reduce the risk of death from a common type of blood cancer, new research suggests.

Scientists in the United Arab Emirates tracked 1,467 patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), both slow-growing cancers affecting white blood cells. The study found that patients taking statins had a 61% lower risk of dying from their cancer compared to those not on the medication.

Published in the journal Blood Advances, the observational study also showed a 38% lower risk of death from any cause and a 26% reduced risk of disease progression among statin users.

“These findings highlight a strong link between statin use and improved survival,” said Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, assistant professor of pharmacotherapeutics at the University of Sharjah. However, he cautioned, “We can't say for certain that statins directly improve cancer outcomes. Future clinical trials are needed.”

Statins are the UK’s most-prescribed drug, with over 70 million packs dispensed annually. Originally developed to reduce heart disease by lowering levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol, they are now also used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in at-risk individuals.

The new study adds to growing evidence suggesting that statins may offer protective effects against various cancers, including breast, liver, stomach, and bowel.

In this trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive either ibrutinib—a common CLL/SLL therapy—alone, in combination with other drugs, or other non-ibrutinib treatments. About one-third of the participants were already on statins when their cancer treatment began. The average patient age was 65, and follow-up lasted about five years.

Despite the promising results, researchers acknowledged the study's limitations. “We could not determine the effects of specific statin types, doses, or duration of use on patient outcomes,” they wrote.

CLL and SLL are diagnosed in approximately 4,500 people in the UK each year and are more common in men. While often manageable, they are rarely cured entirely, with treatments focused on long-term disease control.

Dr. Abuhelwa emphasized that while the results are encouraging, they do not support starting statins solely for cancer treatment at this stage. “More research is essential to confirm a direct benefit,” he said.