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

Abstract

BackgroundTumor‐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.MethodsStatin 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: <median, ≥median) and linear regression models (log‐transformed continuous biomarkers) adjusted for age, smoking, and comorbidities.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsStatins may influence TILs in HPV‐positive patients. This may be the mechanism through which they improve prognosis in HPV‐positive HNSCC patients.