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

Background Tumor-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. Methods Statin 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. Results We 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. Conclusions Statins may influence TILs in HPV-positive patients. This may be the mechanism through which they improve prognosis in HPV-positive HNSCC patients.