UK launches world's largest clinical trial into effect of aspirin on cancer prevention

The world’s largest clinical trial has been launched in the UK to examine whether aspirin can delay or prevent cancers from returning.

The Add-Aspirin study will attempt to determine whether a daily dose of aspirin, taken over a five year period can stop the return of cancers that have been caught and treated early.

Dr Fiona Reddington, Cancer Research UK’s head of population research, commented: “Aspirin’s possible effects on cancer are fascinating and we hope this trial will give us a clear answer on whether or not the drug helps prevent some cancers from returning.

“Cancers that recur are often harder to treat, so finding a cheap and effective way to prevent this is potentially game–changing for patients.”

Researchers will recruit 11,000 patients who have recently had, or are having treatment for bowel, breast, oesophagus, prostate or stomach cancer. The trials will be open at more than 100 centres across the UK and will run for up to 12 years.

The study will compare two groups of people taking either 100mg or 300mg doses of aspirin alongside a group taking placebo tablets.

Previous research has already suggested that aspirin could prevent heart attacks and strokes in some people as well as prevent certain types of cancer.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently revealed that around 14 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year. This number is expected to rise globally by 70 per cent over the next two decades, with more than 60 per cent of cases occurring in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.

Future treatment

Commenting on the trial, Professor Ruth Langley, chief investigator from the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at the University College of London (UCL), said: “There’s been some interesting research suggesting that aspirin could delay or stop early stage cancers from coming back, but there’s been no randomised trial to give clear proof.

“This trial aims to answer this question once and for all. If we find that aspirin does stop these cancers returning, it could change future treatment – providing a cheap and simple way to help stop cancer returning and helping more people survive.

“However, unless you are on the trial, it’s important not to start taking aspirin until we have the full results as it isn’t suitable for everyone and can have serious side effects. Please speak to your oncologist or research nurse if you would like to join the Add-Aspirin trial.”

Welcoming the research is 51 year old mother of two Alex King, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2009. She poignantly stated: “Having cancer was one of the toughest experiences of my life, but thankfully I was one of the lucky ones given the all-clear and I’ve been free of cancer for five years now.

“Any opportunity to reduce the chance of cancer coming back is incredibly important so patients can rest more easily, and it’s brilliant to see that Cancer Research UK is launching this new trial to see if aspirin can help do this.”

The Add-Aspirin phase III trial has been funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Professor Tom Walley, director of the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, added: “We have funded the Add-Aspirin trial because it offers the exciting possibility of improved outcomes for patients, with a simple well tolerated intervention.

“The programme prides itself on funding pragmatic clinical trials like this that can lead to tangible benefits to patients and could help fill important knowledge gaps for the NHS.”

For more information about the trial call 0808 800 4040 to speak to Cancer Research UK’s information nurses or visit www.cancerhelp.org.uk.