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Novel use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Scientists have noticed that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs makes the treatment of head and neck cancer associated with a change in the PIK3CA gene more effective.
Studies have shown that patients with PIK3CA-altered head and neck cancers experience significant improvements in quality of life and life expectancy with regular use of NSAIDs.
As oncologists suggest, even such affordable drugs as aspirin may be added to the treatment regimen for cancer with a faulty PIK3CA.
One of the project leaders, Robert Feris, who heads the oncology center in Pittsburgh, noted that the discovery could be a shining example of how the most interesting things are always in plain sight and do not need to be sought far away. "We should study familiar drugs more actively, to better understand their capabilities and further use for sick people," explained Dr. Feris. He was supported by his colleague, a representative of the New York Medical Center Mount Sinai Krzysztof Misiukiewicz. "Considering the high cost of new drugs that are offered to us today, a more detailed study of old drugs could be an excellent way to create an affordable alternative, the ability to achieve the desired effect."
To assess the benefits of nonsteroidal drugs, specialists studied information from electronic archives. Cases of patients with malignant tumors of the neck and head taking NSAIDs for at least six months and at least two days a week were taken into account. The overwhelming majority of patients took acetylsalicylic acid (more than 90%).
In the course of a comprehensive analysis, taking into account the form, stage of oncological pathology, as well as the presence of HPV in the patient, scientists noted a reliable relationship between regular use of non-steroidal drugs and higher survival of patients with an altered PIK3CA gene (72%).
Patients with head and neck cancer without PIK3CA alteration and taking NSAIDs demonstrated survival rates of around 25%.
“Regardless of whether patients have bad habits, human papillomavirus, or other possible factors, the constant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for head and neck cancer with PIK3CA changes reduces the risk of dying from this pathology,” the scientists said.
Experts have proposed the most probable mechanism explaining this ability of conventional medications. Thus, special animal tests have demonstrated that the altered gene stimulates the PI3K channel in the tumor process, which depends on the enzyme substance cyclooxygenase 2. This enzyme is the basic target for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the key to the mystery.
At the same time, scientists are not in a hurry to reassure patients and claim that oncology can be treated with acetylsalicylic acid. After all, even clear research results always require additional confirmation.
The material was published on the pages of the Journal of Experimental Medicine.