Lovastatin protects keratinocytes from DNA damage-related pro-apoptotic stress responses stimulated by anticancer therapeutics.

•Lovastatin protects keratinocytes from IR- and Doxo-induced apoptosis.•Doxorubicin-induced formation of DSBs is reduced by statin.•Lovastatin reduces residual DNA damage following IR and Doxo treatment.•Activation of ATR/Chk1 signaling by IR and Doxo is attenuated by statin.•Protection by lovastatin involves proliferation-dependent and -independent mechanisms.