Could Aspirin Actually Fight Cancer? Science Says ‘Yes’!

Cambridge researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery suggesting that aspirin could play a role in enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Their findings suggest the drug might play a role in boosting the immune system’s ability to fight cancer, with the possibility of preventing metastasis.

But, how is this possible, and what can we realistically expect?

Research Suggests Aspiring Could Help Fight Cancer

Scientists at the University of Cambridge believe they have found a way aspirin, a common pain reliever, may help prevent the spread of cancer. It can do so by boosting the immune system’s function.

Animal experiments have shown that aspirin helps T cells identify and destroy cancer cells trying to spread. Researchers called the discovery “exciting and surprising,” as it could pave the way for aspirin to be used as a complementary treatment for cancer patients in the future.

Cautions to Consider

Researchers caution against self-administering aspirin, as it carries significant risks. The study, published in Nature, is still in its early stages, and it’s unclear which cancer patients could benefit. It focused on how the immune system responds to cancer metastasis.

Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the gastrointestinal tract and brain, due to its antiplatelet effects. Prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal issues like ulcers and bleeding, particularly in those with a history of stomach problems.

Its effectiveness may vary depending on the cancer type and a patient’s genetic profile. This means that not all patients will benefit and some may face greater risks.

Additionally, aspirin can interact with other treatments, including chemotherapy and anticoagulants, potentially causing adverse reactions or reducing treatment effectiveness.

What Did the Study Discover?

The study found that platelets, which aid in blood clotting, hinder T cells from destroying cancer cells. Researchers discovered that aspirin, by inhibiting platelet activity, helps the immune system detect and eliminate cancer cells before metastasis forms. This discovery was made by chance. The team was originally focused on how the immune system responds to cancer spread, not studying aspirin.

Using genetically engineered mice, researchers found that animals lacking certain genetic instructions had a lower risk of developing metastases. Further investigation revealed that T-cells were affected in a way similar to aspirin’s known effects. This led the researchers to shift their focus entirely.

What Does This Tell Us?

While the findings are based on animal experiments, they offer valuable insights that could lead to human clinical trials and advancements in cancer treatment. Professor Gil Bar-Sela of the Beit Shulamit Cancer Center emphasized that it’s too early to determine the clinical significance. He noted that the key question is whether and how these findings will impact cancer treatment.

Professor Bar-Sela added that the immune system is complex and influenced by many factors. That is why further research is needed to understand the implications fully.

Advantages to Consider

Unlike new drugs, aspirin is an established medication, making it easier to study its effects on cancer patients. This is especially true for those undergoing immunotherapy, which activates the immune system against cancer cells.

Bar-Sela explained that aspirin could serve as a complementary treatment to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, similar to other methods combining drugs, viruses, or vaccines to stimulate the immune system.

There’s Even More

Bar-Sela highlighted the advantage of using existing data sets from Israel and globally to investigate aspirin’s potential. Comparing cancer patients taking aspirin for unrelated reasons with those who do not could provide initial insights into its effectiveness.

While promising, further clinical trials are needed before definitive recommendations can be made. Over a decade ago, data suggested that daily aspirin use may improve survival chances after a cancer diagnosis.

How Could It Work?

The key to preventing metastasis, which causes most cancer-related deaths, lies in stopping a cancer cell from detaching and spreading. Researchers found that platelets, responsible for blood clotting, interfere with T-cell activity, preventing them from destroying cancer cells.

Aspirin works by inhibiting platelets, allowing T cells to detect and eliminate cancer cells before they spread.

Researchers suggest that aspirin could be most effective for early-stage cancer patients after treatments like surgery, helping the immune system eliminate remaining cancer cells. However, they caution against self-prescribing aspirin, as more research is needed.

Currently, some patients with Lynch syndrome take aspirin as a preventive treatment, but further clinical trials are needed to determine if more cancer patients could benefit from the drug.

Is it More Effective on Specific Cancer Types?

Bar-Sela stated that aspirin’s effect was most pronounced in breast, stomach, and prostate cancers, while its impact was minimal or insignificant in other cancer types. Extensive studies suggest that aspirin may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and even prevent the development of initial cancer.

Aspirin alone is not sufficient to treat active metastatic cancer, but it may provide some benefits when used alongside other treatments, especially immunotherapy.

However, as studies are still in various stages of investigation, the use of aspirin as a complementary treatment is not recommended for all patients at this time. It should only be considered within clinical trials or under strict medical supervision until more is known.

Do Other Studies Agree?

Results from several studies formed the basis for guidance released in April 2016 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which recommended aspirin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer for certain individuals. Researchers behind these studies highlighted the significance of the panel’s actions in shaping this recommendation.

In Nature Reviews Cancer, Andrew Chan, M.D., of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues called the USPSTF’s recommendation a “crucial first step” toward potentially expanding aspirin use for cancer prevention on a broader population-wide scale.

How Reliable Is All of This?

The USPSTF recommendations are not comprehensive, and researchers are still investigating how aspirin reduces colorectal cancer risk and whether it can prevent other cancers.

Studies aim to fill this information gap. One study from 2015 found that 18% of Americans taking aspirin regularly believed they were using it to prevent cancer, even before the USPSTF’s recommendations. So, it seems promising for now, but we have yet to find out more about its legibility.

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