Longevity & AgingPCSK9 Inhibitors Boost Survival in Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy
Cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors, commonly prescribed for heart disease, may also help cancer patients live longer when combined with immunotherapy. A real-world study of patients with lung cancer, melanoma, or kidney cancer found that those taking PCSK9 inhibitors alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors had a 31% lower risk of death. Strikingly, this survival benefit appeared independent of cardiovascular improvements, suggesting PCSK9 inhibitors may directly enhance the immune system's ability to attack tumors. Patients on these drugs also had fewer ER visits and hospitalizations. While promising, the findings come from a retrospective matched-cohort study, and randomized clinical trials are underway to confirm whether this effect is real and causal.
