Common over-the-counter 3p painkiller ‘prevents killer cancers from spreading’
A SHOP-BOUGHT pill could slow the spread of cancer by taking the brakes off the immune system, a study suggests.
The 3p painkiller was already thought to lower cancer risks but scientists did not know how.
Aspirin is a cheap, widely used painkiller available without a prescription (stock image)
Now a “eureka moment” in a mouse experiment has revealed aspirin reduces levels of a chemical that blocks the action of white blood cells.
This could help a patient’s own immune system to tackle tumours.
Pharmaceutical companies are investing billions of pounds trying to achieve the same thing with super-expensive new drugs.
But experts warn Brits should not try to treat themselves with aspirin because there is a risk of side effects.
We hope therapies will target cancer cells’ window of vulnerability
Prof Rahul RoychoudhuriUniversity of Cambridge
Study author Professor Rahul Roychoudhuri, from Cambridge University, said: “When cancer first spreads there’s a unique window of opportunity when cells are particularly vulnerable to immune attack.
“We hope that therapies that target this window of vulnerability will have tremendous scope for preventing cancer recurrence.”
Co-author Dr Jie Yang added: “It was a eureka moment when we found this effect.
“Aspirin has the potential to be less expensive and more accessible than antibody therapies.”
Aspirin is a painkiller that some people also take long-term as blood thinner to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
It is very cheap and available to buy in shops without a prescription.
Dr Yang found a molecule called TXA2 can suppress cancer-killing T cells, a type of white blood cell.
Aspirin lowers TXA2 as part of the way it prevents the blood clotting.
Mice with skin cancer that were given aspirin were then found to have a much lower risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
Writing in the journal Nature, the researchers said this could be because the body’s own white blood cells were able to kill loose tumour cells circulating in the blood.
Around nine in 10 cancer deaths in humans are in patients whose disease has spread.
Cancer patients ‘should not start taking aspirin’
Scientists’ reaction to the study was mixed and they warned it is not a miracle cure.
Professor Ruth Langley, from University College London, is leading a trial of aspirin on human cancer patients.
She said: “This is an important discovery but in a small proportion of people, aspirin can cause serious side-effects, including bleeding or stomach ulcers.
“It is important to understand which people with cancer are likely to benefit and always talk to your doctor before starting aspirin.”
Dr Harvey Roweth, a cancer biologist at the University of Reading, added: “I don’t think we can say that cancer patients should be taking aspirin.
“There is some promise that it will help patients in the future but it will need to be considered alongside existing therapies.
“Aspirin is extremely unlikely to become a stand-alone treatment for cancers.”
Cancer types, signs and symptoms
Everything you need to know about different types of Cancer
Bowel cancer symptoms: What are they and when should I start to worry?
What is prostate cancer? Signs and symptoms of the condition
What are skin cancer symptoms and what does the disease look like?
How to check your breasts for signs of cancer
Stomach cancer: Symptoms, causes, and treatments
What is a brain tumour and what are the symptoms?
What does a cancerous mole look like?
What are esophageal cancer symptoms?
Is skin cancer itchy?
How to tell the difference between haemorrhoids and cancer
Are sunbeds safe and can they cause cancer?
What is glioblastoma and what are the symptoms?
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings