Researchers at LMU have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against colorectal cancer. Their study has revealed how aspirin can inhibit the progression of this deadly disease by activating tumor-suppressing microRNAs. This finding offers new hope for the use of aspirin as a preventive and therapeutic agent, particularly in cases where the p53 pathway, a known tumor suppressor, is compromised.
Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is a major global health concern, with millions of new cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. As such, there is an urgent need for effective preventive measures. Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, has emerged as a promising candidate for the prevention of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that long-term use of low-dose aspirin by patients with cardiovascular diseases can reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer.
The recent research at LMU focused on uncovering the molecular mechanisms through which aspirin exerts its inhibitory effects on colorectal cancer. The study, published in the journal Cell Death and Disease, revealed that aspirin triggers the production of two tumor-suppressive microRNA molecules, miR-34a and miR-34b/c. This activation is achieved by aspirin binding to and activating the enzyme AMPK, which then modifies the transcription factor NRF2, leading to the expression of the miR-34 genes.
Furthermore, the study found that aspirin also suppresses the oncogene product c-MYC, which typically inhibits NRF2. These combined actions ultimately result in the inhibition of colorectal cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. It was demonstrated that aspirin’s inhibitory effect on cancer cells is dependent on the presence of the miR-34 genes. In cells lacking these genes, aspirin was unable to prevent the progression of the disease.
This research has shed light on a new pathway through which aspirin can combat colorectal cancer, independent of the well-known p53 signaling pathway. Professor Heiko Hermeking, who led the study, noted the significance of these findings in advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of aspirin.
With the potential for aspirin to be utilized as a preventive and therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer, these findings hold great promise for improving outcomes for patients with this deadly disease. Further research in this area could pave the way for the development of novel treatment strategies that harness the power of aspirin in the fight against colorectal cancer.
