Cancer is still the leading cause of death around the world and it’s expected to increase until a cure is found. The NIH – National Institute of Health – says that there were 1,685,210 cases of cancer in the US in 2016 and 595,690 deaths.
Cancer “prevention” methodologies abound, but most experts agree that a healthy lifestyle is the best
way to thwart this menace. A diet rich in fruit and green vegetables coupled with some daily exercise will
make a huge difference in cancer rates. Avoiding or eliminating tobacco is the most important step to
take.
New research by the reinforces the idea that low-dose aspirin intake may also help to prevent cancer and
inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells.
In September 2015, the United States Preventive Services Task Force made a recommendation that an
aspirin a day can help reduce the risk of both cardiovascular disease but also colorectal cancer cell
proliferation and metastasis (spread) of cancer.
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) have discovered that Aspirin indirectly
reduces the oncoprotein responsible for malignant cells. Their study was published in the journal AJP-Cell
Physiology in conjunction with Oregon State University (OSU). The findings revealed that the aspirin
actually effects the red blood cell platelets as opposed to actually attacking the cancer cells, says senior
author Owen McCarty, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at OHSU.
Platelets are very small blood cells that form clots in order to stop bleeding. They also increase the onco-
proteins called c-MYC. that supports cancer and assists in spreading the cancer. C-MYC is designed to
regulate the life and death expression of over 15% of the genes in the body, as well as the creation of
proteins and the metabolism of cells. In the case of cancer, the c-MYC gene is more aggressive than is
should be. However, aspirin decreases the platelets ability to increase c-MYC protein explained McCarty.
He goes on to say that tumor cells circulating in the blood stream interact with platelets which activate the
CMYC proteins and increase the survival of the cancer cells. Inhibition of the platelets by aspirin
decreases this activity and therefore the tumor cell growth.
Another professor in the study from OSU College of Pharmacy, Craig Williams, further explains the
process. Our immune systems are constantly trying to kill cancer cells, blood platelets can actually form a
type of protection for the early cancer cells and assist metastasis. Aspirin inhibits those actions of
expressions of the c-NYC onco-proteins.
In this first of its kind study demonstrates the ability of platelets to regulate the expression of c-MYC in
cancer cells, and the effect of aspirin on that expression. About 42% of pancreatic cancer patients and a
third of colon cancer patients were found to have greater amount of c-MYC oncoproteins. However, there
was no difference in protection by the aspirin at high doses vs low doses, therefore making low dose the
preferred choice to decrease the risk of bleeding from high doses.
Authors of the study note the immediate role of healthcare professionals when considering even a low-
dose aspirin regime. As there is early interaction of cancer cells and platelets, their recommendation is to
use aspirin prophylactically.
