Common Pain Medication Shows Promise in Reducing Cancer Spread, Study Reveals

Aspirin: the humble pain reliever that’s been sitting in your medicine cabinet might just hold the key to slowing down the spread of certain cancers. A groundbreaking study from the University of Cambridge suggests that this common over-the-counter medication could stimulate the immune system to fight cancer metastasis (a fancy term for spread).

The research, published in the journal Nature on March 5, unveils the role of a protein called ARHGEF1. This protein suppresses T-cells, the immune system’s cancer-fighting soldiers, when exposed to thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a chemical produced by platelets for blood clotting. Aspirin, already known for its ability to reduce TXA2 levels, steps in to free those T-cells, allowing them to hunt down rogue cancer cells.

In studies conducted on mice with melanoma, those treated with aspirin showed fewer metastases compared to their aspirin-free counterparts. Researchers described their discovery of TXA2’s effect on T-cells as a "eureka moment," highlighting the potential of aspirin to serve as a cost-effective alternative to expensive antibody-based therapies.

Dr. Jie Yang, a lead researcher, noted the implications of this discovery, saying, "Aspirin, or other drugs targeting this pathway, could be more globally accessible due to lower costs." Previous studies have already hinted that daily aspirin use may reduce cancer spread and mortality rates in humans, especially in hereditary colorectal cancer cases.

Still, before you start popping aspirin like candy, experts urge caution. Dr. Rahul Roychoudhuri, a senior researcher, emphasized that while aspirin is cheap and widely available, its long-term use carries risks like stomach bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke, particularly for older individuals. "Patients should not start taking aspirin for cancer prevention without specific medical advice," he warned.

Pashtoon Kasi, M.D., a gastrointestinal oncology expert, noted that the study was conducted on mice models, which means human applications require further validation. Aspirin’s interactions with other medications and its potential complications also need to be considered.

These findings build upon a growing body of evidence linking aspirin to reduced cancer spread and offer insights into how the immune system might be leveraged for treatment. Future research, including the Add-Aspirin clinical trial, aims to recruit over 10,000 patients with early-stage cancers to explore whether aspirin can stop or delay recurrence.

Funding for this research came from various organizations, including the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and Cancer Research UK. While aspirin’s potential is exciting, researchers stress that clinical validation is crucial before making any recommendations.