Aspirin Shows Promise in Reducing Colorectal Cancer Recurrence in Patients with Specific Genetic Mutation
Colorectal cancer is a major global health concern, with nearly 2 million new cases diagnosed worldwide each year, including almost 50,000 in France alone. A important challenge is teh 20-40% of patients who develop metastases, making treatment difficult. It’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths, responsible for nearly a million fatalities in 2020. Now, a new study offers a promising avenue for improving outcomes.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that a low dose of aspirin may considerably reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery in patients with a specific genetic mutation in the PIK3 signaling pathway – a mutation present in around 40% of colorectal cancer patients. This pathway regulates crucial cellular processes like growth and division. While previous observational studies hinted at aspirin’s potential cancer-fighting properties,this is the first randomized clinical trial to confirm these findings.
Aspirin is a widely used and well-known medication with analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties.The new research involved 3,500 patients with colon and rectum cancer from hospitals in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. For three years following surgery, patients received either 160mg of aspirin daily or a placebo.
The results were striking: patients with the PIK3 genetic mutation who took aspirin experienced a 55% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence compared to those with the same mutation who received the placebo.
“Aspirin is tested here in a wholly new context as a treatment of precision medicine,” explains Anna Martling,lead author of the study and professor at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden). “this is a clear example of how we can use genetic information to personalize treatment while saving resources and reducing suffering.”
Researchers believe the benefits of aspirin may stem from its ability to reduce inflammation, inhibit platelet aggregation, and hinder tumor development. While the precise molecular mechanisms are still being investigated, the results strongly suggest that aspirin could be especially effective for genetically defined subgroups of patients.
This revelation has the potential to impact the treatment of millions, as aspirin is a globally available and inexpensive medication – significantly more affordable than many current anti-cancer drugs.
Sources: Karolinska Institutet, JAMA, OMS, The New England Journal of Medicine
