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LymphomaOctober 2025Summary reviewed September 2026

Cholesterol Pill Protected Brain Function During Cancer Chemo for Two Years

Patients taking a common cholesterol medication (atorvastatin) during lymphoma or breast cancer treatment kept their thinking skills sharp over 24 months. The group not taking the statin showed no improvement in executive function tests, while the statin group got significantly better at complex mental tasks.

What the trial was testing

The PREVENT enrolled 279 patients with lymphoma. The study was sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

Statin users improved by 10 seconds on executive function tests while the placebo group saw no change.

JAMA network open · 2025 · NCT01988571

These findings — that statin users got better at complex thinking tasks while placebo users saw no change — were published in the JAMA network open and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 279 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with lymphoma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

If you're starting chemotherapy with doxorubicin, this study suggests a common cholesterol pill might protect your thinking and memory during treatment. The medication is already FDA-approved and widely used. Talk to your oncologist about whether adding this pill to your treatment plan makes sense for you.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.