Can Aspirin Prevent Cancer Spread? New Research Reveals Hope

Aspirin: A Potential New Hope for Cancer Patients?

Could the inexpensive painkiller aspirin prevent the spread of cancer? A recent study by scientists suggests this might be the case.

Animal trials conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK have shown that aspirin enhances the immune system's ability to fight disease, including cancer.

This unexpected and exciting discovery opens the door for future cancer patients to potentially be prescribed aspirin by doctors. However, it is still too early to take this step, and medical professionals urge caution, advising patients not to take aspirin without medical guidance.

It’s important to note that while aspirin is commonly used, it carries certain risks. Ongoing scientific trials are needed to determine which cancer patients may benefit most from the drug.

How Does Cancer Spread?

Cancer occurs when cancerous cells weaken, with one cell detaching from the primary tumor and attempting to spread to other parts of the body. This process, known as metastasis, is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths.

The immune system, particularly the T-cells—white blood cells—forms a protective defense that can identify and destroy metastatic cancer cells trying to take root in the body.

However, the study found that other blood components, specifically platelets, which typically prevent bleeding, can interfere with the actions of T-cells, making it harder for the immune system to eliminate cancer.

Aspirin interferes with cancer cells and counters the effect platelets have on T-cells, allowing them to track and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.

“We discovered that aspirin could unexpectedly boost the immune system’s power to identify and remove circulating cancer cells,” explained Rahul Roychowdhury, a professor at the University of Cambridge.

The drug is believed to work particularly well in cancers detected early, and it may be useful after treatments like surgery to help the immune system identify any cancer cells that may have spread.

Should Aspirin Be Recommended for Cancer Treatment?

One common question for anyone diagnosed with cancer is whether aspirin could be the answer.

“If you have cancer, don’t rush to the pharmacy to buy aspirin,” advises Mangesh Thorat, a cancer surgeon and researcher at Queen Mary University of London. “But consider participating in ongoing or future clinical trials to assess aspirin's effectiveness.”

Thorat added that while the research has uncovered an important piece of the puzzle regarding how aspirin works, many questions remain.

Aspirin can cause dangerous bleeding, including strokes, so its benefits must always be weighed against potential risks.

It is also not clear whether aspirin affects all cancers or only specific types. Since the study is still in the animal testing phase, scientists remain hopeful the results will translate to humans, but further research and validation are necessary.

Already, doctors recommend aspirin for some patients with Lynch syndrome, which increases the risk of several types of cancer. However, more extensive clinical trials will be needed to determine if it can benefit additional patient groups.

Ongoing Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are already underway, with Ruth Langley, a professor from the Clinical Trials Unit of the Medical Research Council at the University of London, leading research to determine whether aspirin can prevent the recurrence of early-stage cancers.

She emphasized that the results of the study were critical as they will help identify “which group benefits most from taking aspirin after a cancer diagnosis.”

However, Langley reiterated her warning about aspirin’s risks, stressing the importance of consulting a doctor before beginning any aspirin regimen.

Roychowdhury believes that in the long run, scientists may develop new treatments combining the benefits of aspirin with fewer associated risks.