Low-density lipoprotein reduction and cancer - Not definitive but provocative

In this issue of the journal, Alsleikh-Ali et al. (1) present data suggesting an inverse relationship between the absolute level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reached in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of statins and the incidence of cancer. As acknowledged by the authors, and emphasized in an accompanying editorial, the findings are not definitive but rather are hypothesis generating and require further investigation. Nevertheless, they are certainly provocative, and have considerable potential to alter the prescription of and compliance with drug therapy of proven efficacy. Therefore, we thought it would be worthwhile to review the process taken and considerations in reaching a decision to publish this manuscript.