The Mechanism Behind Aspirin’s Colon Cancer Prevention Uncovered by Science

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which aspirin may prevent colon cancer, shedding light on the long-standing mystery of how this common medication works to protect against the deadly disease.

A study published in the journal Cancer revealed that aspirin appears to enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells, providing a new perspective on its anti-cancer effects. Lead researcher Dr. Marco Scarpa from the University of Padova in Italy explained, “Our study shows a complementary mechanism of cancer prevention or therapy with aspirin besides its classical drug mechanism involving inhibition of inflammation.”

The research involved analyzing tissue samples from 238 patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer, with about 12% of them being regular aspirin users. The samples from aspirin users showed less cancer spread to the lymph nodes and increased activity of immune cells against tumors.

In laboratory experiments, exposing colon cancer cells to aspirin led to enhanced communication among immune cells, specifically through increased expression of a protein called CD80. This suggests that aspirin helps the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

Moving forward, the researchers aim to explore ways to improve the delivery of aspirin to the colon to maximize its anti-cancer effects. Scarpa emphasized the importance of ensuring that aspirin reaches the colorectal tract in sufficient doses to be effective.

This groundbreaking study provides valuable insights into the potential of aspirin as a preventive measure against colon cancer and opens up new possibilities for future research in this field.