Using statins to improve outcomes for melanoma patients
Official title: BOOST:Better Oncology Outcomes Through Statin Treatment
Funded at Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-11043441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether taking statins, which are usually used to lower cholesterol, can help people with early-stage melanoma avoid it spreading to more serious stages, especially for those who are at high risk but can't use other treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002642-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with early-stage melanoma who are at high risk for metastasis and are not eligible for current adjuvant therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced melanoma or those who do not have a history of early-stage melanoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of statins, commonly used cholesterol-lowering medications, to reduce the risk of melanoma metastasis in patients diagnosed with early-stage melanoma. By analyzing data from the Veteran population, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of statins in preventing the progression of melanoma to more severe stages. The research employs advanced statistical methods to correlate statin use with rates of metastasis and mortality, providing a foundation for future clinical trials. Patients who are at high risk for melanoma metastasis but do not qualify for existing treatments may particularly benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, cost-effective treatment option to prevent the progression of melanoma in high-risk patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that statins may have potential benefits in cancer treatment, but this specific approach to melanoma metastasis is innovative and not yet widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Wesley Y — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yu, Wesley Y
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.