Aspirin and its Potential Impact on Cancer Treatment
A recent study published in Cancer has shed light on the potential benefits of aspirin in promoting an immune response against cancer. The study, conducted by Ottavia De Simoni and her team at the Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV‐IRCCS in Padova, Italy, analyzed a total of 238 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in a retrospective analysis.
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of aspirin on the tumor microenvironment, systemic immunity, and healthy mucosa surrounding a tumor. They conducted an investigation to examine the expression of immune surveillance-related genes, such as PD-L1, CD80, CD86, HLA I, and HLA II, in primary CRC cells. This experiment was also repeated in cell lines to determine if these genes were induced by treatment with aspirin.
In addition to the genetic analysis, a subgroup of patients underwent immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry examinations to assess the mucosal immune microenvironment. The results of the study revealed that 12 percent of the patients used aspirin during the study period.
Interestingly, the researchers found that aspirin users were significantly less likely to develop nodal metastases and had a significant increase in tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte infiltration. This suggests that aspirin may have a positive impact on immune surveillance against cancer.
Further analysis of the data showed that during treatment with aspirin, there was an increase in the expression of CD80 mRNA in both the primary CRC cells and selected cell lines. Moreover, the ratio of CD8/CD3 cells and the number of epithelial cells expressing CD80 were found to be higher in the healthy mucosa surrounding rectal cancer when individuals took aspirin.
The authors of the study emphasize that there is evidence to suggest that aspirin use is associated with a lower grading and nodal metastatic rate in patients with CRC, as well as a higher infiltration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. These results were particularly prominent in the right colon, where aspirin has higher bioavailability.
Overall, this study highlights the potential benefits of aspirin in promoting an immune response against cancer. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these findings and to determine the optimal dosage and duration of aspirin treatment for cancer patients.