Aspirin, a common painkiller, might hold the key to preventing cancer from spreading, according to a groundbreaking discovery by scientists at the University of Cambridge. In animal studies, researchers found that aspirin enhances the immune system’s ability to fight back against metastasizing cancer cells.
Cancer spreads when a single rogue cell breaks away from a tumor and moves through the body, a process known as metastasis—responsible for most cancer-related deaths. Normally, T-cells, a type of white blood cell, can destroy these stray cancer cells. However, platelets—cells that help with blood clotting—interfere with T-cells, shielding the cancer. The study found that aspirin disrupts platelets, allowing T-cells to attack and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.
Lead researcher Prof. Rahul Roychoudhuri called the findings an exciting breakthrough, suggesting aspirin could be used after treatments like surgery to target lingering cancer cells. However, experts caution against self-medicating. Aspirin carries risks, including internal bleeding and strokes, and it remains unclear which cancers respond best. Clinical trials, such as the Add-Aspirin trial led by Prof. Ruth Langley at University College London, are investigating its effectiveness in preventing recurrence.
Interestingly, the discovery was accidental. While studying immune responses in mice, researchers stumbled upon aspirin’s unexpected role—what Dr. Jie Yang described as a true “Eureka moment.” Though promising, more research is needed before aspirin can be widely recommended for cancer treatment.
