Research Question:
Our primary research question is: Can the combination of statin medication use and naturally occurring bilirubin levels in the body significantly reduce the risk of cancer?
Research Aims:
The aim of this study is to explore the interaction between statin medication and bilirubin levels and to understand how this interaction impacts cancer prevention.
Research Objectives:
To determine the relationship between bilirubin levels and cancer risk.
To assess the impact of statin medication use on bilirubin levels and cancer risk.
Study Design:
This prospective cohort study will utilize the UK Biobank to investigate the synergistic interaction between serum bilirubin levels and statin use on cancer risk. The primary focus will be on cancer mortality as the main outcome, with cancer incidence as a secondary outcome.
Hypothesis:
The central hypothesis is that statin therapy enhances the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects of elevated bilirubin, leading to enhanced chemoprotection against cancer.
Methodology:
We will employ Cox proportional hazards models to formally test for a statistical interaction between statin use and bilirubin concentration on outcomes, adjusting for key confounders including age, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities.
Anticipated Findings:
We anticipate finding a significant interaction where high bilirubin levels are associated with a markedly reduced risk of cancer mortality specifically among statin users.
Significance:
This finding would provide compelling evidence for a novel “statin-bilirubin axis” in cancer prevention, offering a new mechanistic perspective on the pleiotropic benefits of statins. It could potentially inform personalized chemoprevention strategies that leverage this endogenous biochemical pathway.
