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Reductase Inhibitors and the Risk of Cancer
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| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
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The nested case-control study by Dr Blais et al1
provided some reassurance regarding the safety of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl
coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. However, important issues remain
unresolved.
In their cohort of older beneficiaries of a health care plan, those
treated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were less likely to be diagnosed
as having cancer than those treated with bile acid sequestrants. Because the
median period of follow-up for the cohort was only 2.7 years, this study does
not offer long-term reassurance. Neoplasia from carcinogens can take decades
to clinically manifest.2 This is not as
important in older individuals at high risk for coronary events because neoplasia
from the drug might not clinically manifest in their lifetime, whereas protection
from coronary events should occur rapidly.3
However, in younger individuals HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are potentially
administered for decades, and there is a possibility for neoplasia from the
drug to manifest during their lifetime.
. . . [Full Text of this Article]
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