Can Aspirin Stop Cancer from Spreading?

Aspirin, one of the world’s most commonly used painkillers, might have a surprising new role in medicine—fighting cancer. A groundbreaking study published in Nature suggests that aspirin could prevent the spread of cancer, known as metastasis, by enhancing the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells. However, despite this exciting discovery, scientists warn that aspirin has risks, such as internal bleeding, and more research is required before it can be used as a standard treatment for cancer patients.

This article explores the findings of the study, how aspirin affects cancer cells, its potential benefits, and the risks associated with its use.

How Aspirin Might Help Prevent Cancer from Spreading

For over a decade, researchers have observed that people who regularly take aspirin seem to have a lower risk of dying from cancer. However, the exact reason behind this protective effect remained unclear.

A recent study from the University of Cambridge has now provided insights into how aspirin might work against cancer. The research suggests that aspirin can help stop cancer from spreading by disrupting the interaction between cancer cells and platelets (blood-clotting cells).

The Role of Platelets in Cancer Spread

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells break away from the original tumor and spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors. This is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths.

Our immune system plays a key role in stopping this spread. White blood cells, particularly T-cells, can identify and destroy cancer cells. However, cancer manipulates platelets to shield itself from immune attacks.

When cancer cells enter the bloodstream, they attract platelets, which surround and protect them. This “coating” makes it harder for the immune system to detect and destroy the cancer cells. Additionally, platelets release chemicals that weaken T-cells, further reducing their ability to fight cancer.

How Aspirin Disrupts This Process

Aspirin interferes with platelet function, preventing them from shielding cancer cells. This allows T-cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells before they can form new tumors.

Professor Rahul Roychoudhuri, one of the study’s lead researchers, explained:
“What we’ve discovered is that aspirin might work, surprisingly, by unleashing the power of the immune system to recognize and kill metastasizing cancer cells.”

This discovery has been described as a ‘Eureka moment’ by scientists and could open new doors for cancer treatment.

Could Aspirin Be Used in Cancer Treatment?

The study suggests that aspirin could be particularly useful after surgery to remove tumors. Even when a tumor is removed, some cancer cells might have already traveled to other parts of the body. These “escaped” cells can remain hidden and later grow into new tumors.

Aspirin could help prevent these hidden cancer cells from forming new tumors by making them more vulnerable to immune attacks.

Dr. Jie Yang, the lead researcher from the University of Cambridge, described the discovery as a turning point in cancer research.
“It was an entirely unexpected finding which sent us down quite a different path of inquiry than we had anticipated.”

A Cost-Effective Cancer Therapy?

Another major advantage of aspirin is its affordability. Cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy, are expensive and not always accessible to patients in low-income countries.

Aspirin, on the other hand, is widely available and inexpensive. If proven effective in human clinical trials, it could provide a more affordable option for cancer treatment worldwide.

Dr. Yang emphasized this point, saying:
“Aspirin, or other drugs that could target this pathway, have the potential to be less expensive than antibody-based therapies, and therefore more accessible globally.”

What Are the Risks of Taking Aspirin?

Despite these promising findings, experts caution against using aspirin as a cancer treatment without medical supervision.

Potential Side Effects

Aspirin is known to have several risks, including:

• Internal Bleeding: Long-term use of aspirin can increase the risk of stomach ulcers and internal bleeding. In severe cases, this can lead to life-threatening conditions.
• Stroke Risk: Aspirin thins the blood, which can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain).
• Kidney Damage: Regular aspirin use can harm kidney function over time.
• Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to aspirin, causing breathing difficulties or skin rashes.

Because of these risks, medical professionals emphasize the need for further research before recommending aspirin for cancer treatment.

What Experts Say

Professor Mangesh Thorat, a cancer researcher at Queen Mary University of London, advises caution:
“If you are a cancer patient, don’t rush to your local pharmacy to buy aspirin just yet, but actively consider participation in ongoing or upcoming trials of aspirin.”

He explains that while the study provides an important clue to how aspirin might work, there are still many unanswered questions.

• Does aspirin work for all cancers, or only specific types?
• What is the optimal dosage for cancer patients?
• How do we balance its benefits against its risks?

Until clinical trials provide more clarity, aspirin should not be used as a cancer treatment outside of medical supervision.

Current and Future Research on Aspirin and Cancer

To better understand aspirin’s role in cancer treatment, researchers are now conducting large-scale clinical trials.

In the UK and India, over 10,000 patients with early-stage breast, colorectal, gastroesophageal, and prostate cancers are being monitored to determine whether aspirin can:

1. Prevent cancer recurrence
2. Slow down cancer progression
3. Improve overall survival rates

These trials aim to provide the scientific evidence needed to confirm whether aspirin can be used safely and effectively in cancer treatment.

Other Anti-Cancer Properties of Aspirin

Some past studies have suggested additional cancer-fighting properties of aspirin, including:

• Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer development. Aspirin, as an anti-inflammatory drug, may help reduce this risk.
• Blocking Tumor Growth Signals: Aspirin has been found to interfere with certain molecular pathways that cancer cells use to grow and multiply.
• Enhancing Other Cancer Treatments: Some research suggests aspirin may improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

While these findings are promising, more research is needed to understand exactly how aspirin can be integrated into cancer treatment.

Should You Take Aspirin for Cancer Prevention?

The discovery that aspirin may help prevent cancer from spreading is an exciting breakthrough in oncology. However, it’s important to remember that aspirin is not a cure for cancer.

What You Should Do

• If you are already taking aspirin for heart health, discuss its potential cancer benefits with your doctor.
• If you have a family history of cancer, do not start taking aspirin without medical advice.
• Cancer patients should wait for the results of ongoing clinical trials before considering aspirin as part of their treatment plan.

Scientists continue to explore new ways to use aspirin in cancer therapy while minimizing its risks. If clinical trials confirm its benefits, aspirin could become an inexpensive and accessible tool in the fight against cancer.

For now, the best approach to cancer prevention remains:

✔ Regular screenings
✔ A healthy diet
✔ Exercise
✔ Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption

While aspirin’s full potential in cancer treatment is still being studied, one thing is clear: this simple drug continues to surprise scientists, offering new hope in the battle against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.