Before the above < < aspirin sword has double edges > >
Old trees and new flowers
When Felix Hoffman synthesized aspirin in those days, he never imagined that people had discovered so many effects of aspirin today. In addition to the aforementioned anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects, and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, scientists have recently turned their attention to the anti-cancer research of aspirin.
Previous readers have learned that aspirin inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, Prostaglandins are converted from arachidonic acid under the catalysis of cyclooxygenases (Cox-1 and Cox-2). Aspirin inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenases to exert its many effects. Inhibitors of Cox-2 can promote tumor apoptosis. Reduce mitosis and angiogenesis of tumor cells, Therefore, the experiment of inhibiting Cox-2 to treat cancer has always been one of the research hotspots in oncology circle. Aspirin, a 100-year-old drug, is naturally undisputed. Up to now, a large number of experiments have shown that, Aspirin may have certain preventive effects on colorectal tumors. A 2009 article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute pointed out that aspirin can effectively prevent colorectal cancer. It provides a basis for chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. However, the author still cautiously suggests that the pros and cons should be weighed when deciding whether to use aspirin.
So why is oral aspirin not recommended in the current guidelines for colorectal cancer prevention?
On the one hand, although the existing evidence shows that long-term aspirin administration can significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, it is necessary to insist on taking doses exceeding the normal standard for a long time, which will bring serious side effects, such as hemorrhage; On the other hand, some studies have shown that aspirin treatment to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is only applicable to tumors that express Cox-2, while the incidence of Cox-2 negative tumors is not affected by aspirin. That is to say, the existing evidence does not support the widespread recommendation of aspirin to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Because colorectal cancer is characterized by a process from benign adenoma to malignant transformation, Most of this process takes 10 years, which provides a favorable opportunity for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. Therefore, compared with oral aspirin to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, traditional diet intervention, lifestyle changes, early treatment, and key screening of high-risk groups are more appropriate preventive measures.
Is aspirin about to withdraw from the stage of anti-cancer?
On 12 August 2009, An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that even if the tumor of a patient who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer expresses Cox-2, Patients who took aspirin regularly still had a longer survival time than the control group. Ha, aspirin may even be involved in chemotherapy for tumors. Some studies have shown that aspirin also has some inhibitory effects on some lung cancers, leukemia and laryngeal cancers.
Perhaps with the further research, aspirin will really become the first-line treatment for a certain type of tumor, let’s wait and see.
Aspirin, one of the three classic drugs in the history of medicine, has gone through a hundred years of ups and downs, and its contemporaries have successively entered their twilight years, losing their status as first-line drugs and even being put into limbo. However, she is still charming and lasting. The so-called classic is worthy of its reputation. Who knows which new battlefield aspirin will open up tomorrow? It is only hoped that aspirin, an economical, low-toxicity and convenient drug for oral administration, will better serve human beings under the new understanding.
Author: Li Morning