Author Topic: Tumor control by aspirin  (Read 7489 times)

Captain Deb

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Tumor control by aspirin
« on: October 12, 2006, 01:38:46 pm »
Hi Family,
Tony asked me to post this article about tumor control and aspirin.

October 2, 2006

Aspirin combats tumor growth by inhibiting new blood vessel formation

A report published in the October, 2006 issue of The FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) revealed that aspirin, already recognized as being protective against some cancers due to its cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzyme inhibiting ability, has another tumor-fighting weapon in its arsenal: the ability to directly reduce angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessel growth. Without this ability, tumors are unable to grow.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle in England compared the effects of varying concentrations of aspirin, salicylate (the natural form of aspirin), and the selective Cox inhibitors SC560 and Celecoxib on the proliferation, viability and angiogenesis of cultured endothelial cells. They found while therapeutic concentrations of aspirin and salicylate had no effect on cell viability or proliferation, there was a significant reduction in angiogenesis. This effect was seen even at the lowest concentrations of aspirin and salicylate used, but was not observed with the selective Cox inhibitor drugs, either separately or in combination, suggesting that the the antiangiogenic effect of aspirin is via a Cox-independent mechanism.

While a very high concentration of aspirin resulted in apoptosis (programmed cell suicide) of the cells, the effect was not seen at doses approximating to systemic pharmacological concentrations. "It is clear that low therapeutic doses of aspirin have a direct inhibitory effect on the ability of endothelial cells to undergo angiogenesis and that this may contribute to the antineoplastic effects claimed for aspirin in a wide range of tissue types," the authors conclude.

Gerald Weissmann, MD, who is Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, stated, "Aspirin has always been touted as a 'wonder drug, and this study shows that we are still learning about the many actions of this amazing drug."
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tony

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2006, 01:58:56 pm »
Thanks - it should work fine for conventional ANs as well
(not to mention the lower cancer risk, lower heart attack risk,
reduction in tinnitus, fatigue, etc, etc)
But even a low dose (one-a-day) is fine
so no need to overdo it
Best regards
Tony

lmurray69

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2006, 02:04:00 pm »
wow what will they think of next...I take a aspirin a day , and my an is growing!!!!
radiation feb 05, gammaknife, tumor is 1.2x0.08/ surgery Nov 1st 2006 Dr House/Swarts/

Joef

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2006, 02:26:49 pm »
Interesting ..

I think 100's of years from now, Doctors will discover the best practices for long life are ...




Exercise , just a simple walk a few miles a day .. and an Apple a day  ;D

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HeadCase2

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2006, 02:49:23 pm »
  I have to agree with Bruce on this one.  It's not clear that [non-cancerous] AN tumors involve cyclooxygenase to promote angiogenesis like cancerous tumors do.  But I would be surprised if many AN patients don't already take a baby aspirin a day, for cardiac protection, since the average age for AN diagnosis is 50 something.
Regards,
 Rob 
1.5 X 1.0 cm AN- left side
Retrosigmoid 2/9/06
Duke Univ. Hospital

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Jim Scott

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2006, 03:21:16 pm »
Thanks Deb - and Tony.

Certainly interesting reading but hardly conclusive, as is often the case with these new research 'findings' regarding possible AN inhibitors.  While going on a physician-approved low-dose aspirin regimen would probably not do one any harm, based on this article, I cannot see that it would really prevent the growth of the Schwann cells that make up AN tumors (as Bruce mentioned).  It sounds like a shot in the dark, as much scientific research turns out to be, by necessity, when dealing with the unknown.  Still, aspirin in low daily does does have other benefits and, as a layman (not a scientist or physician), I would not rule it out as a possible Schwann-cell growth inhibitor.  I just need more proof than the article provided as the whether aspirin could or would inhibit excess Schwann cell growth. 
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

Windsong

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2006, 06:33:40 pm »
well aspirin has been around for ages and does help all sorts of things....

(if we didn't have it today, and someone came around and said, hey guess what, i have this little white pill , (and it's cheap) and went on to list the numerous things it does help, i wonder what the reaction would be??? ;) )   

 ;)

this is interesting... thanks for the post...
windsong
p.s. I might even remember to take my aspirin a day now....lol
« Last Edit: October 12, 2006, 06:50:09 pm by Windsong »

tony

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2006, 12:15:56 am »
I accept that the growth link/form between AN and cancer
maybe similar - but not identical.
However sometimes ANs just die of natural causes (3-5%??)
This is the Tumour "necrosis" we have all heard about
- this process was explained to me by the neuro
- basically the Tumour out grows the blood supply
starves itself  I guess.
The point is there is a correlation between blood supply and growth
so if there was an easy way of restricting the blood supply
- it might work.
As I say if it was only a 1/1000 chance I d still try it
Best regards
Tony

Larry

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2006, 08:45:00 am »
I doubt whether aspirin would shrink the begger - geesh if it did, I'd buy up the factory. However, after how many years on the market did it take the so called experts to realise that aspirin has benefical uses for thinning the blood and helping to avoid blocked arteries.

MMMMMMM I think I might start popping one of these a day. The only worry would be that constant use can cause ulcers - got that licked coz I take another drug called Losec which counteracts the ulcer thing. Now, to find a drug to counteract the Losec side effects  mmmmmm  when does one stop.



Laz

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tony

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2006, 09:13:08 am »
I know what you mean
I have a pink one to get me to the bathroom
two blue ones to get me dressed
then a red one to counteract the side effects of the first three
then an orange to balance out the red
- annnd I usually dont feel so good ????
Asprin is fine - but small qtys are effective
large amounts will offer a whole new set of problems....
best regards
tony

HeadCase2

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2006, 09:46:40 am »
  Asprin is also known as having audiotoxicity (can damage hearing).   For obvious reasons, AN patients may be concerned about trying to retain whatever hearing they have left.  There are many drugs that are known to damage hearing.
Rob
1.5 X 1.0 cm AN- left side
Retrosigmoid 2/9/06
Duke Univ. Hospital

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Sue

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2006, 01:29:33 pm »
Aspirin can also make tinnitus worse.  But I don't know how much you have to take before the buzzing gets louder.  Perhaps that is unique wiith each person.

Sue in Vancouver
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The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
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tony

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2006, 01:55:41 am »
strange, there was a post a week or so back - which said that asprin improved
both the fatigue sensations and the tinnitus - though again there is a big
difference between 1-2 pills and 6+
Asprin might reduce soft tissue swelling - but the thinner blood
might eventually race around quicker
- so dont overdo it is still good advice
tony

Patti UT

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2006, 07:34:46 pm »
Interesting ..

I think 100's of years from now, Doctors will discover the best practices for long life are ...




Exercise , just a simple walk a few miles a day .. and an Apple a day ;D



Fishing and a cold one will help also. 
Patti Ut
2cm Rt side  middle fossa  at University of Utah 9/29/04.
rt side deafness, dry eye, no taste, balance & congintive issues, headaches galore
7/9/09 diganosed with recurrent AN. Translab Jan 13 2010  Happy New Year

Windsong

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Re: Tumor control by aspirin
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2006, 07:46:21 pm »
ya probably....
 i figure i'll still take that little white pill each day though....... that aspirin..... :D

Windsong