Mesothelioma:
Aspirin Delays Cancer GrowthResearchers from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center have found that aspirin can inhibit the growth of mesothelioma, aggressive and lethal cancers associated with asbestos.
These findings can ultimately provide doctors and patients the potential for new treatments to combat this devastating disease, as well as knowledge of how to fight other cancers. Mesothelioma kills approximately 3,200 people per year nationwide.
The study, published in Cell Death and Disease, shows that aspirin slows the growth of mesothelioma by blocking the carcinogenic effect of the inflammatory molecule, called High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1). The researchers believe these molecules directly promote the growth of mesothelioma.
"HMGB1 is an inflammatory molecule that plays an important role in the initiation and development of malignant mesothelioma. Inhibiting HMGB1, dramatically reducing the growth of malignant mesothelioma in mice and significantly improving survival of treated animals, "said Dr. Haining Yang, Ph.D., an associate professor at Thoracic Oncology Program, UH Cancer Center.
Aspirin is widely used as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, it is absorbed by the stomach and upper intestine. In collaboration with his collaborator, Dr. Yang and Dr. Michele Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., director of UH Cancer Center's Thoracic Oncology Program, they found that at least some anti-tumor activity from known aspirin is through the prevention of HMBG1 activity.
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive and often lethal cancer. This type of cancer is the result of exposure to asbestos and asbestos-like fibers, such as erionite. The prolonged presence of asbestos fibers lodged in the lining of organs begins a vicious cycle of chronic cell death and chronic inflammation, which, if lasting for years, can cause mesothelioma.
The researchers theorize that people at high risk of developing mesothelioma can take aspirin as a way to prevent or delay the growth of cancer, thus increasing their chances of survival.
These individuals will include people whose work environment is heavily exposed to asbestos, or people who live in high exposure areas. They also encouraged further research to uncover the exact mechanism of blocking HMGB1 by aspirin.