Statins mediate anti- and pro-tumourigenic functions in lung adenocarcinoma development by remodelling the tumour microenvironment

Anti-cancer properties of statins are controversial, and possibly context-dependent. Recent pathology/epidemiology studies of human lung adenocarcinoma showed reduced protumourigenic macrophages associated with a shift to lower grade tumours amongst statin users but, paradoxically, worse survival compared to non-users. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we have characterised mouse lung adenoma/adenocarcinoma models treated with atorvastatin. Here we show that atorvastatin suppresses premalignant disease by inhibiting the recruitment of protumourigenic macrophages to the tumour microenvironment, manifested in part by suppression of Rac-mediated CCR1 ligand secretion. However, prolonged atorvastatin treatment leads to drug resistance and progression of lung adenomas into invasive disease. Pathological progression is not driven by acquisition of additional driver mutations or immunoediting/evasion but is associated with stromal changes including the development of desmoplastic stroma containing Gr1+ myeloid cells and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). These findings show that any chemopreventive functions of atorvastatin in lung adenocarcinoma are overridden by stromal remodelling in the long term, thus providing mechanistic insight into the poor survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients with statin use.