Aspirin could help prevent metastases

Aspirin could help prevent metastases of some types of cancer locking a brake which prevents the immune system from lashing out against cancer cells. A study on Nature It deepens the molecular mechanism at the basis of the anticancer activity of the aspirin, already highlighted – so far above all as a simple association, without a cause -effect link – in previous studies. The discovery could support ongoing clinical trials and future on the targeted use of the drugeconomic and universally widespread, against metastases.

Aspirin and tumors: what we know. In the past, some studies have shown that the daily intake of low -dosage aspirin in cancer patients reduces the occurrence of metastases of some types of cancerlike breast, colon-recto and prostate cancer. The anticancer role of aspirin is at the center of in -depth study in some clinical trials, but so far it was not very clear how the drug would hinder the development of tumors.

Hit at the right time. At the same time, it is known that “out of office” cancer cells are more vulnerable to the attack of the immune system Compared to when they are in the tumor that originated them, which normally tries to make itself invisible to the body’s defenses. Indeed, the moment of their initial diffusion to the other organs is considered the window of greatest vulnerability, in which it would be more useful to intervene.

An unexpected discovery. In the new work, scientists from the University of Cambridge have clarified the antimetastatic effect of aspirin in a completely random way. They were studying how genes have an effect on tumor metastases, and they observed that a mouse lack of a gene that produces a protein called Arhgef1 He had less metastases than various primary lung and liver cancers. The protein in question suppresses the activity of T lymphocytes, immune cells capable of recognizing and eliminating metastase cancer cells.

The on/off button. The molecular signal which activates this suppressive effect which prevents immune cells from doing their work is a molecule called trombossano a2 (txa2). An old acquaintance for scientists, because it is targeted by Aspirina. The TXA2 is produced by platelets, components of the blood that help the coagulation process but which can be involved in the formation of trombers. These can cause the occlusion of blood vessels, at the base of events such as strokes.

Lymphocytes: hit! Even if the aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) acts on the flu symptoms, millions of people they take it regularly for its anticoagulant effect And to reduce the future risk of stroke and heart attacks.

In fact, the drug reduces the production of TXA2, preventing the formation of trombers. And here is the link that was missing: By decreasing the TXA2, the aspirin “removes the brake” which hinders the action of T lymphocytes against metastase cancer cells.

Hinder the diffusion. The authors of the study proved that administering aspirin to mice with melanoma reduced the frequency of metastases, and that this effect depended From freeing the T cells from the yoke of the TXA2.

“Despite the progress in cancer care, many patients with initial phase tumors receive treatments, such as the surgical removal of the tumor, who have the potential to be curative, but which later form recurrence due to the possible growth of micrometastases, cancer cells that have spread in other parts of the body but remain in a latent state” explains Rahul Roychoudhuri, professor of oncological immunology English and first author of the study.

“Most of the immunotherapies are developed to treat patients with ascertained metastatic cancer”, but therapies that can intervene in early phase, in the vulnerability window of the metastase cancer cells, could represent a turning point in the care of oncological patients.

A democratic care. Aspirin is accessible everywhere at low cost. The authors of the study hope that their discovery can improve the interpretation of clinical trials in progress on the aspirin effect against cancer and that helps to understand which patients could benefit of his assumption.

In fact, it should be remembered that on a small percentage of people the aspirin can give serious side effectssuch as bleeding and gastric ulcers, and which for this reason it is always good to consult a doctor before his intake, to be motivated with specific medical needs.