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ASPIRIN VS. CANCER
By Sean Henahan, Access Excellence
TORONTO- Aspirin appears to have the ability to stop the proliferation of human lung cancer cells, reported researchers at the 86th Annual Meeting of the American Association for CANCER RESEARCH. Researchers from the (U.S.) National Cancer Institute conducted a series of in vivo experiments which demonstrated that aspirin and related compounds inhibit the growth of human non-small cell lung tumors. The studies also suggest a mechanism by which aspirin acts to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells, reported Terry Moody, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute. RESEARCH. "Aspirin is known to inhibit the development of several types of tumors in culture, and it has been associated with decreased risk of colorectal and certain other cancers in humans," said Moody, acting chief of NCI's Biomarkers and Prevention Research Branch. "However, study of aspirin's potential effects on lung tumors has been overlooked. It is promising to find that aspirin has an effect on this important cancer." RESEARCH. Previous studies have demonstrated that aspirin inhibits tumor cell proliferation by reducing production of prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances are produced in most human tissues and mediate a variety of physiologic processes. When a person has a headache, aspirin inhibits one of the prostaglandins, interrupting a key component of the arachidonic cascade, the series of reactions associated with inflammation and pain. RESEARCH. Dr. Moody and colleagues observed that aspirin and aspirin-like anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the levels of prostaglandin in cultured human non-small cell lung cancer cells. This in turn slowed cell proliferation slowed. Interestingly, the addition of epidermal growth factor reversed the effects of the aspirin, and led to an increase in cell proliferation. This ties in with research conducted by Dr. Moody indicating that epidermal growth factor is produced by non-small cell lung cancers and stimulates their proliferation in culture. RESEARCH. "Our new findings suggest that some of the stimulatory effects of epidermal growth factor on proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells may be mediated by prostaglandin," said Moody, "and that aspirin is acting on prostaglandins to indirectly block the effect of epidermal growth factor." RESEARCH. The scientists will continue to monitor the effects of aspirin in mice with human non-small cell lung cancers. The preliminary data suggests that aspirin is indeed inhibiting growth of the tumors. The animal studies will be completed in about a year. RESEARCH. "Our research is aimed at exploring the possibility of slowing or halting the carcinogenic process while in its early stages by using a chemopreventive agent, or agents, before cells progress to cancer and while they can still undergo normal DNA repair or death," said Moody. RESEARCH. Lung cancer is an aggressive disease and the process of carcinogenesis is so complex that an effective chemoprevention strategy probably will require a combination of preventative agents and early intervention, he added. RESEARCH. In the United States, about 135,000 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer this year. The five-year relative survival rate is 15 percent. RESEARCH. Transmitted: 95-03-27 22:24:45 EST
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