Could aspirin prevent cancer metastasis? New research offers hope

Aspirin, a widely used painkiller, has long been associated with various health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Now, new research suggests that it may also help prevent the spread of cancer. While previous studies hinted at a link between aspirin use and improved cancer survival, a recent study published in Nature explains the underlying mechanism.

Scientists have been exploring aspirin’s potential role in cancer prevention for decades. The first clinical study in 1988 found that regular aspirin use significantly lowered the risk of colorectal cancer, but the exact reason remained unclear.

An article published by Medical Xpress reports that researchers at the University of Cambridge have recently identified how aspirin may help stop cancer from spreading, a process known as metastasis.

Since metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, understanding how to prevent it is crucial. Aspirin appears to enhance the body's immune response, making it harder for cancer cells to take hold in new parts of the body.

The immune system plays a vital role in fighting cancer, specifically through T-cells, a type of white blood cell that attacks harmful invaders. When cancer cells break away from a tumor and enter the bloodstream, T-cells normally identify and destroy them. However, platelets, tiny cell fragments responsible for blood clotting, can interfere with this process. Cancer cells exploit platelets by triggering a response similar to wound healing. The platelets coat the cancer cells, creating a protective shield that prevents the immune system from recognizing them. Additionally, platelets release signals that suppress T-cells, further weakening the body's ability to fight the disease.

Aspirin disrupts this process by blocking a molecule that platelets use to suppress the immune response. With the platelets weakened, T-cells regain their ability to detect and destroy cancer cells before they can form new tumors. This suggests that aspirin could be particularly useful in preventing cancer recurrence after treatments like surgery. Even if the primary tumor is removed, some cancer cells may have already spread and started seeding in other parts of the body. By taking aspirin, patients might reduce the likelihood of these cells developing into new tumors.

Despite these promising findings, experts urge caution before recommending aspirin as a cancer treatment. One major concern is its potential side effects, particularly internal bleeding. By interfering with platelet function, aspirin makes the blood thinner, increasing the risk of uncontrolled bleeding. This is especially dangerous in the stomach, where aspirin can cause ulcers, and in the brain, where it raises the risk of hemorrhagic strokes. Additionally, the current study was conducted on mice rather than humans, so its findings need to be confirmed through clinical trials before aspirin can be widely used in cancer treatment.

By Nazrin Sadigova