Title:Aspirin as a Chemoprevention Agent for Colorectal Cancer
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 9
Author(s):Chun Seng Lee, Deirdre McNamara and Colm A. O’Morain
Affiliation:Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health sciences, Adelaide and Meath, Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Keywords:Aspirin, colorectal cancer, chemoprevention, cyclooxygenase
Abstract:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the western world. It is widely accepted that neoplasms
such as colonic polyps are precursors to CRC formation; with the polyp-adenoma-carcinoma sequences well described in medical literature
[1, 2]. It has been shown that Aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have a negative effect on polyp and
cancer formation. This review aims to describe some of the mechanism behind the chemoprotective properties of aspirin; COX 2 inhibition,
regulation of proliferation and apoptosis and effects on the immune system and also the current evidence that supports its use as a
chemoprevention agent against CRC. We will also aim to explore the side effects with the use of aspirin and the pitfalls of using aspirin
routinely for primary prophylaxis against CRC.
