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The following is a summary of “Association of PCSK9 inhibitors with risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a retrospective cohort study,” published in the November 2024 issue of Dermatology by Li et al.
Growing evidence suggests that cholesterol metabolism abnormalities were linked to carcinogenesis, and Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) inhibitors had shown potential in inhibiting tumor progression and preventing UV-related skin damage.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze the association between PCSK9 inhibitors and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) risk.
They analyzed data from the US Collaborative Network in the TriNetX database, including adults aged ≥40 years with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) on statin therapy between 2016 and 2022. A target trial design compared the risk of NMSC, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), in patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors or continued on statin therapy (control group). Propensity score matching was used for each comparison. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs). Stratified analyses were employed based on age, sex, Fitzpatrick skin type, and immune status.
The results showed 73,636 patients with ASCVD were analyzed. Patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitors had a significantly lower risk of NMSC compared to the control group (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.71–0.87), as well as a lower risk of BCC (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69–0.89) and cSCC (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67–0.93). Subanalyses indicated that evolocumab and alirocumab were associated with a reduced risk of NMSC. Stratified analyses showed consistent results among patients aged 65–79 years, those older than 80 years, and male patients.
Investigators concluded the patients with ASCVD treated with PCSK9 inhibitors exhibited a lower risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer compared to those not receiving the inhibitors.
Source: academic.oup.com/bjd/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/bjd/ljae438/7908452
