Use and Discontinuation Patterns of Statins in Patients on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Presenter: Qicong Sheng

This retrospective cohort study evaluated statin use and discontinuation patterns in 5,796 cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) between 2015 and 2024. Chart review was used to identify causes of statin discontinuation and creatinine kinase elevations. Among 2,058 patients who had an indication for statins or were already on statins at ICI initiation, 937 (46%) were not receiving statins despite guideline-based indications. In a lung cancer subgroup (n=546), 39% were not on statins. Patients not receiving statins despite indications were more likely to be younger, Hispanic/Latino, have a higher Area Deprivation Index, and have diabetes compared to those on statins (n=1,121). Permanent statin discontinuation during ICI therapy was uncommon (3.0%, 34/1,121), with equal numbers discontinuing due to adverse effects and patient/clinician choice (n=17 each). Creatine kinase elevation was also infrequent (2.2%, 25/1,121), with 10 cases suspected to be ICI-related myositis.

Among cancer patients on ICI, nearly half of eligible patients were not receiving statins, while discontinuation and adverse events were rare.

Clinical Effectiveness of Statin Therapy on Mortality Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients: A Contemporary Real-World Analysis

Presenter: Muhammad Aslam Khan

This retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network evaluated the association between statin therapy and mortality in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD) from 2005 to 2023. Patients (≥18 years) were categorized into statin users and non-users. A 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis balanced demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory values, resulting in 55,116 patients in each group. Statin use was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality at all time points compared with non-use. At 6 months, mortality risk was reduced (HR 0.44; 95% CI: 0.43–0.46; p<0.001), with sustained benefit at 1 year (HR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.47–0.50; p<0.001) and 3 years (HR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.56–0.58; p<0.001).

In conclusion, statin therapy in HD patients was associated with a consistent reduction in all-cause mortality though prospective studies and randomized trials are needed to validate these finding.

ACC 2026, March 28 – 30, New Orleans, LA