Common Painkiller Halves Colorectal Cancer Recurrence in Landmark Study
Stockholm, Sweden – A daily low-dose aspirin regimen significantly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer returning in patients with specific genetic markers, according to a groundbreaking study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that aspirin halved the rate of cancer recurrence in individuals whose tumors exhibited particular genetic characteristics, offering a potential “precision medicine” approach to fighting the disease.
Colorectal cancer affects approximately 2 million people worldwide annually, with 30 to 40 percent experiencing a recurrence after initial treatment. this new research offers a simple, inexpensive intervention that could dramatically improve outcomes for a significant portion of those patients.
The study focused on patients who had already undergone treatment for colorectal cancer. Researchers discovered that aspirin appeared notably effective in individuals with tumors displaying specific genetic mutations - present in a little over one in three cases – suggesting a targeted request of the common drug. While the exact mechanisms are still being investigated, earlier research indicates aspirin may combat cancer by reducing inflammation, restricting tumor growth, and interfering with the protective mechanisms cancer cells use to spread. ItS also believed to disrupt the PIK3 signaling pathway, crucial for tumor advancement.
“Although we do not yet fully understand all the molecular links, the findings strongly support the biological rationale and suggest that the treatment may be particularly effective in genetically defined subgroups of patients,” said researcher Åsa Martling.
Low-dose aspirin has previously been associated with reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, it’s also linked to potential side effects, including internal bleeding. the study’s focus on genetically predisposed patients aims to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
“aspirin is being tested here in a completely new context as a precision medicine treatment,” Martling added. “This is a clear example of how we can use genetic facts to personalize treatment and at the same time save both resources and suffering.”
