Aspirin Use, But Not NSAIDS, Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk
In a prospective study, aspirin use was associated with lower risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly among former and non-smokers.
The effectiveness of aspirin and nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in preventing cancer is unclear, and the relationship is complicated further when smoking history is considered.
Aditya Bardia, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues analyzed data from the Iowa Women’s Health Study on aspirin and nonaspirin NSAID use, cancer incidence and mortality, and smoking history.
Aspirin use was associated with decreased risk of cancer incidence and mortality, as well as heart disease mortality, compared to people who didn’t take aspirin. The association was stronger among former and never smokers than current smokers, although the difference was not statistically significant. Nonaspirin NSAID use was not associated with decreased risk.
“… Aspirin use could potentially prevent approximately 4.7% of the cancer incidence burden, 3.5% of the cancer mortality burden, and 7.6% of the coronary heart disease mortality burden in the population. Although these percentages may seem small, the impact on public health could be important,” the authors write.
Contact: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Mayo Clinic, Department of Public Affairs, zimmermann.elizabeth@mayo.edu, (507) 266-0810
Mutations to Integrin á7 Gene May Promote Cancer Development
A protein called integrin á7 suppresses tumor growth and cell migration, and mutations in the integrin á7 gene are identified in various cancers, including prostate and liver cancer.
Integrins are important adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Integrin á7 appears to be involved in muscle development and in communication between muscle cells and the material surrounding the cells, known as extracellular matrix.
Baoguo Ren, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues identified integrin á7 mutations in specimens from several different types of cancers, and four cell lines.
Mutations were found in 16 of 28 prostate cancer samples, 8 of 24 liver cancer samples, 5 of 6 glioblastoma samples, and 1 of 4 leiomyosarcomas (cancer of smooth muscle cells). When integrin á7 expression in prostate cancer and leiomyosarcoma cell lines was restored to normal levels, tumors generated from these cells grew more slowly and produced fewer metastates.
“The ubiquitous expression of integrin á7 in human organs and widespread mutations of this gene in human cancers raise the possibility that integrin á7 may have a role in the development of many human malignancies,” the authors write.
Contact: Jim Swyers, University of Pittsburgh, swyersjp@upmc.edu, (412) 586-9773
Inflammation Protein Is Not Associated With Breast Cancer Risk
C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is not associated with breast cancer risk among healthy women, despite earlier studies that suggest a link between chronic inflammation to breast cancer development.
Using data from the Women’s Health Study, Shumin Zhang, M.D., Sc.D., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and colleagues evaluated whether levels of CRP were associated with future breast cancer risk. After an average of 10 years of follow-up, the researchers found no association.
“In patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer, elevated levels of CRP or interleukin-6 are associated with reduced survival, suggesting that CRP levels may rise after the onset of breast cancer and be a prognostic indicator for survival in patients. However, data are sparse regarding whether or not CRP is associated with breast cancer risk among apparently healthy women,” the authors write.
Contact: Jessica Podlaski, media relations officer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, jpodlaski@partners.org, (617) 534-1603
Incidence Rates of a Rare Cancer Fall Among Danish Patients
Peter Jepsen, M.D., of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, and colleagues calculated incidence rates of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer in the bile ducts of the liver. The researchers found that the rates of two types of cholangiocarcinoma fell between 1978 and 2002. These results contradict previous international studies that showed increased rates of cholangiocarcinoma occurring inside the liver, but declining rates of the disease occurring outside the liver.
Contact: Peter Jepsen, pj@dce.au.dk, +45 89 42 48 00
Also in the June 6 JNCI:
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