• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Cancer

Aspirin’s Potential: New Insights Into Its Role in Hindering Cancer Metastasis

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
March 5, 2025
in Cancer
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Lung metastases

In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, scientists have unveiled a significant mechanism through which aspirin can potentially reduce the metastasis of certain cancers. This important finding, primarily funded by the Medical Research Council, may pave the way for new, targeted therapeutic approaches against cancer spread, potentially saving lives by addressing one of the deadliest aspects of cancer progression.

Historically, cancer metastasis—where cancer cells spread from their original location to other parts of the body—has been a key factor in cancer fatalities, attributing to approximately 90% of cancer deaths. The study, published in the esteemed journal Nature, sheds light on how aspirin can stimulate the immune system in a way that curtails this perilous phenomenon. The researchers emphasized the significance of understanding this mechanism, noting that such insights will bolster ongoing clinical trials and may lead to the development of more effective cancer therapies aimed at restricting metastasis.

Previous epidemiological studies indicated that daily low-dose aspirin intake correlates with diminished metastasis in several cancers, including breast, bowel, and prostate cancers. However, until now, the underlying mechanisms of how aspirin could exert such profound effects remained elusive. By investigating the molecular interactions within the immune system, the Cambridge team ventured into new territory, focusing on how immune responses are manipulated during the metastatic process.

The research team systematically examined a collection of genes to identify candidates that might influence metastasis. Their extensive screening involved looking at 810 genes in mice, resulting in the identification of 15 genes that appeared to have a significant role in the spread of cancer cells. Among these, the gene responsible for producing a protein known as ARHGEF1 stood out. The absence of ARHGEF1 in mice resulted in notably lower levels of metastasis to vital organs like the lungs and liver, revealing its pivotal role in cancer progression.

The relationship between ARHGEF1 and the immune system was particularly intriguing, as the researchers discovered that this protein directly suppresses T cells—crucial components of the immune response capable of recognizing and destroying metastatic cancer cells. This finding hinted at a mechanism where immune suppression facilitated the dissemination of cancer, suggesting that unlocking this suppression could lead to improved immune recognition and clearance of cancer cells.

Further exploration revealed that ARHGEF1 is activated when T cells are exposed to thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a clotting factor produced by platelets. This revelation proved to be a turning point for the researchers, as TXA2 has long been associated with both clotting processes and the mechanisms by which aspirin achieves its anti-clotting effects. Importantly, aspirin functions by reducing the levels of TXA2, positioning it as a dual-action agent capable of addressing both thrombotic events and cancer metastasis.

Utilizing a mouse model of melanoma, the researchers demonstrated that aspirin administration led to a marked reduction in the frequency of metastases, affirming their hypothesis that the drug facilitates T cell reactivation against cancer cells by alleviating the suppression previously imposed by TXA2. This synergistic effect highlights the potential of aspirin not just as an analgesic, but as a powerful immunomodulatory agent capable of modifying the landscape of metastatic cancer.

Professor Rahul Roychoudhuri, the study’s lead author, articulated the implications of their findings, emphasizing that the window of opportunity exists when cancer first spreads. At this stage, cancer cells are particularly vulnerable to immune attack—a time when immunotherapies could be most effective. These results could shift the paradigm in cancer treatment strategies, focusing on early intervention rather than waiting for advanced metastatic disease.

The study also raised important considerations regarding the safe use of aspirin, acknowledging that it may pose serious side effects for some individuals, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. As clinical trials ramp up to investigate the optimal use of aspirin in cancer management, the researchers stress the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before self-medication. Their ongoing collaboration with Professor Ruth Langley for the Add-Aspirin clinical trial highlights the commitment to translating these findings into clinical practice, aiming to discern which subsets of cancer patients may derive the most benefit from aspirin therapy.

As the scientific community gears up for further research, the implications of these findings could be vast. If validated through clinical trials, aspirin or similar low-cost drugs that target this newly identified molecular pathway could revolutionize the way early-stage cancers are treated, making effective therapies more accessible globally. Furthermore, understanding this pathway allows for a more personalized approach to cancer treatment, alongside optimizing existing therapeutic modalities.

In summary, the discovery of how aspirin influences cancer metastasis by modulating immune responses offers an exciting frontier in cancer therapy. With the potential to prevent the recurrence of cancer in at-risk patients, this study underscores the need for ongoing research and clinical evaluation. The legacy of this work may not only redefine treatment protocols but could also democratize access to effective cancer care in a world where cancer remains a pressing global health challenge.

Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Aspirin prevents metastasis by limiting platelet TXA2 suppression of T cell immunity
News Publication Date: 5-Mar-2025
Web References: Nature
References: DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08626-7
Image Credits: Copyright: Jie Yang

Keywords: Metastasis, Cancer, T cell immunity, Aspirin, ARHGEF1, Immune suppression, Thromboxane A2, Clinical trials, Melanoma, Drug therapy, Cancer research, Immunotherapy.

Tags: Aspirin and cancer metastasisCambridge University research studycancer progression and treatmentcancer treatment innovationsclinical trials for cancer therapiesepidemiological studies on aspirinlow-dose aspirin benefitsMedical Research Council fundingmolecular mechanisms of cancer metastasisreducing cancer fatalitiesrole of aspirin in immune responsetargeted cancer therapies

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

MRI Radiomics and Tumor Microenvironment in Cervical Cancer

September 2, 2025

New Study Highlights Global Disparities in Cancer Research Funding

September 2, 2025

Tailored Risk Messages Show No Impact on Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates

September 1, 2025

Evaluating Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Chinese Youth

September 1, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Breakthrough in Computer Hardware Advances Solves Complex Optimization Challenges

    153 shares
    Share 61 Tweet 38
  • Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    143 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • New Drug Formulation Transforms Intravenous Treatments into Rapid Injections

    117 shares
    Share 47 Tweet 29
  • Do people and monkeys see colors the same way?

    112 shares
    Share 45 Tweet 28

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Culturally Tailored Tools for Early Eating Disorder Detection

Assessing Clonal Fidelity in Pterocarpus Marsupium Plantlets

MRI Radiomics and Tumor Microenvironment in Cervical Cancer

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.