Aspirin Use and Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality

Aspirin Use and Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality

Inflammation and platelet activation have been implicated in cancer progression and metastatic spread, leading to interest in commonly used anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin. Choe and colleagues examined whether aspirin use was associated with prostate cancer–specific mortality among men treated with definitive local therapy.
This observational study followed men with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Outcomes in aspirin users were compared with those in non-users, with a focus on prostate cancer–specific mortality and the development of metastatic disease. The analysis accounted for clinical risk factors, treatment type, and disease characteristics.
Aspirin use was associated with a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer–specific death, particularly among men with high-risk disease features. The protective association appeared strongest for those who used aspirin regularly after diagnosis, suggesting a potential role in modifying disease progression rather than initial cancer development.
While this was not a randomized trial and cannot establish causation, the findings provide clinically relevant evidence that aspirin may influence prostate cancer outcomes. The study supports further prospective research to clarify which patients may benefit most and to better understand the balance between potential oncologic benefit and bleeding risk in this setting.

Reference:

Choe KS, Cowan JE, Chan JM, Carroll PR, D’Amico AV, Liauw SL. Aspirin use and the risk of prostate cancer mortality in men treated with prostatectomy or radiotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(28):3540–3544. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.41.0308. PMID: 22927523; PMCID: PMC3454771.