Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells
13:38

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

The role of aspirin in cancer prevention

Michael J Thun1, Eric J Jacobs, Carlo Patrono

  • 1Epidemiology Research Program, American Cancer Society, 250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30303-1002, USA. michael.thun@ cancer.org

Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|April 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Daily low-dose aspirin use shows promise in reducing overall cancer incidence, potentially outweighing bleeding risks. Further research is needed to confirm these cancer-preventive benefits for the general population.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Current clinical guidelines for prophylactic aspirin use primarily focus on cardiovascular benefits versus bleeding risks.
  • Aspirin use is known to reduce colorectal cancer risk and adenomatous polyp recurrence, but benefits do not typically outweigh harms in average-risk populations.
  • Emerging evidence suggests daily aspirin may reduce the incidence of all cancers combined, even at low doses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanism of action of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • To evaluate the evidence for aspirin's cardioprotective and cancer-preventive effects.
  • To assess whether cancer prevention benefits of aspirin could shift the risk-benefit balance in average-risk populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of secondary analyses from cardiovascular trials.
  • Examination of the general mechanism of action for NSAIDs.
  • Analysis of evidence on aspirin's effects on cardiovascular health and cancer incidence.

Main Results:

  • Low-dose daily aspirin (75-100 mg) may reduce the incidence of all cancers combined.
  • Inhibition of platelet activation is hypothesized to mediate both cardioprotective and cancer-preventive effects.
  • A 10% reduction in cancer incidence could favor aspirin use in average-risk populations.

Conclusions:

  • Daily aspirin use, particularly low-dose, presents a potential strategy for cancer risk reduction.
  • The cancer-preventive benefits of aspirin may outweigh bleeding risks in average-risk populations, especially with a significant reduction in cancer incidence.
  • Further investigation into the dual cardioprotective and cancer-preventive mechanisms of aspirin is warranted.

More Related Videos

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module10:39

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module

Published on: June 18, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...