Cappelli C et al. (2008) Reduced thyroid volume and nodularity in dyslipidaemic patients on statin treatment. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 68: 16–21

Researchers in Italy have found that statins might have a therapeutic benefit against thyroid cancer. Statins, which inhibit the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, exhibit anticancer effects in animal models and also inhibit the proliferation of thyroid cancer cells in vitro. To discover whether statins might have anticancer effects on the thyroid in vivo, Cappelli et al. conducted ultrasound examinations of the thyroid glands of 135 patients who had been taking statins to treat dyslipidemia for at least 5 years, and 137 euthyroid control individuals who had never taken statins. The prevalence, volume and number of thyroid nodules in the two groups were compared.

Statin-treated patients had a significantly lower prevalence of thyroid nodules than controls (36% versus 68%). The incidence of multiple nodules, number of nodules per patient, and nodule volume were also reduced in statin-treated patients compared with controls. After adjustment for age, sex, risk factors and concomitant drug treatment, statin use was the only important predictor of the presence of thyroid nodules (odds ratio 0.31, 95% CI 0.16–0.63). Neither the type of statin taken nor the duration of treatment had any influence on prevalence of thyroid nodules; however, patients without nodules were taking markedly higher daily statin doses than were those with nodules.