VA research updates: liver cancer, suicide screening, heart failure

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development recently released findings from three separate studies that could have significant implications for veterans' health care. The research covers new insights into how statins may protect against liver cancer, challenges with suicide screening accuracy, and a potential treatment to prevent heart failure in veterans with rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers at VA Greater Los Angeles made an important discovery about how statin medications, commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, may also protect against liver cancer through a previously unknown mechanism. Using genomic sequencing and imaging on human tissue samples, the team found that statins reduce production of a molecule called GGPP, which prevents a protein named YAP from entering liver cell nuclei where it causes damage. This blocking action may stop tumor growth in patients with cancer caused by fatty liver disease by protecting healthy cells surrounding the cancer, suggesting statins offer benefits beyond their traditional cholesterol-lowering function by inhibiting metabolic processes that drive cancer growth.

A study from VA Portland revealed concerning gaps in the accuracy of universal suicide screenings among veterans receiving mental health care. In a survey of approximately 800 veterans who received VA mental health specialty care, 38.1% of those who screened negative and 45.8% who screened positive for suicidal thoughts reported they did not respond "very accurately" to screening questions. The most common reasons veterans gave for withholding information included concerns about how providers might overreact and personal beliefs about the acceptability of suicide, with a related study finding that fear of involuntary hospitalization was a consistent barrier to disclosure.

These findings from the Portland research team emphasize the critical need for building stronger trust between veterans and their clinicians, as well as better communication about how screening results will actually be used. The researchers noted that clinicians should not rely too heavily on screening results alone but should also consider other risk factors and behavioral warning signs when assessing suicide risk. This research matters particularly for disabled veterans who may already face barriers to accessing mental health care or who have had previous negative experiences with the healthcare system.

VA Nebraska-Western Iowa researchers developed a promising drug that could protect against heart failure in people with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that affects many disabled veterans. The study showed that chronic inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis creates toxic chemicals called reactive aldehyde species that accumulate in heart tissue, causing inflammation and scarring. Using a mouse model, researchers demonstrated that a drug inhibiting these reactive aldehyde species successfully blocked the harmful chemical buildup and significantly reduced heart dysfunction.

For disabled veterans, these research developments represent the VA's ongoing commitment to understanding and treating conditions that disproportionately affect the veteran population. Liver disease, mental health challenges including suicide risk, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are all areas where veterans may face higher risks than the general population. The VA's Office of Research and Development conducts this work specifically to improve care for those who have served, translating laboratory findings into practical treatments that can be implemented at VA medical centers nationwide.

Veterans currently taking statins for cholesterol management, those receiving mental health care, or those living with rheumatoid arthritis should discuss these research findings with their VA healthcare providers during their next appointments. If you have concerns about liver health, mental health screening processes, or heart complications related to inflammatory conditions, bring these topics up proactively with your care team. Veterans can also stay informed about ongoing VA research by visiting the Office of Research and Development online or speaking with their primary care physician about how new findings might apply to their individual health situations.