Aspirin as a possible ally in cancer treatment: the discovery that is revolutionizing immunotherapy

In the world of science, new advances constantly open doors to innovative solutions for combating complex diseases such as cancer. A recent discovery made by two Spanish scientists is marking a turning point in the treatment of this disease. Anais Elewaut and Guillem Estivill, researchers at the Institute of Molecular Pathology Research in Vienna (Austria), have identified a potential complementary treatment in which aspirin could play a crucial role in enhancing the effects of immunotherapy against cancer. Through experiments with mice, the scientists demonstrated that some anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, could improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy, offering renewed hope for those affected by cancer.

Immunotherapy has been a significant breakthrough in the fight against cancer, but there are still challenges in making it effective for all patients. Tumors often manage to evade the body’s defenses, preventing the immune system from attacking them efficiently. This phenomenon, known as immune evasion, is one of the reasons why many types of cancer remain resistant to treatment even with immunotherapy. However, what Elewaut and Estivill discovered could change this scenario.

In their research, the scientists observed that anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin have the ability to interfere with this process of evasion. In particular, tumors increase the production of a substance called prostaglandin E2, which blocks the action of certain white blood cells known as monocytes. These monocytes are responsible for alerting the immune system to the presence of cancer cells. By inhibiting the production of prostaglandin E2, anti-inflammatory drugs can help monocytes function properly, thereby activating T lymphocytes—the immune cells in charge of attacking tumor cells.

The study showed that mice receiving both immunotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs lived longer and, in some cases, even experienced complete cancer remission. However, without the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, tumors remained resistant to treatment. This finding highlights the potential of combining aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications with immunotherapy to improve outcomes in cancer patients.

Potential of anti-inflammatories in the fight against cancer

Although the results obtained in mice are promising, the scientists emphasize that applying this treatment in humans still requires cautious evaluation. Aspirin and other cyclooxygenase-inhibiting anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, have shown benefits in clinical trials, where patients who take them regularly exhibit a better response to immunotherapy. However, this benefit is mainly short-term, as tumors tend to return over time.

Despite this, the Vienna researchers remain optimistic. They believe that a suitable combination of anti-inflammatories, immunotherapy, and other drugs that stimulate interferon production could be the key to improving current treatments and offering a more effective solution for fighting cancer. In their study, the scientists tested the combination of these drugs on various types of cancer, including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer, with favorable results in rodents.

Challenges and next steps in research

Although the research opens a new pathway for cancer treatment, several challenges remain before these findings can translate into effective therapies for human patients. First, human tumors are much more heterogeneous than animal models, which means responses to treatment can vary significantly among individuals.

Additionally, the scientists point out that while aspirin is a promising option, it has side effects—such as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues—that limit its long-term use. The solution may lie in combining aspirin with more specific and less harmful drugs, such as celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat arthritis.

Research is ongoing, and clinical trials are being conducted with several such drugs to evaluate their effectiveness in combination with immunotherapy. However, the work of Elewaut and Estivill has already set an important precedent, demonstrating that combined treatments can yield better results than current approaches. As Anais Elewaut notes, “We should not think that aspirin alone will cure cancer, but it can be a valuable tool in a broader therapeutic strategy.”