New use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Scientists have noticed that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs makes the treatment of head and neck cancers associated with the PIK3CA gene change more effective.
Studies have shown that patients with PIK3CA-altered malignant processes of the head and neck significantly improve the quality and duration of life on the background of regular use of NSAIDs.
Even available drugs such as aspirin may be added to cancer therapy with erroneous PIK3CA, as oncologists suggest.
One of the project leaders, Robert Feris, who heads the cancer center in Pittsburgh, noted that the discovery could be a prime example of the fact that the most interesting is always in sight and does not need to be looked far away. “We should be more active in studying the usual medicines, to better represent their abilities and further use for sick people,” explained Dr. Feris. He was supported by a colleague, representative of Mount Sinai New York Medical Center Krzysztof Misyukevich. "Given the high cost of new drugs that are offered to us today, a more detailed study of older drugs can be an excellent way to create an affordable alternative, the possibility of achieving the desired effect."
To assess the benefits of non-steroidal drugs, experts studied information from electronic archives. The cases of taking NSAIDs by patients with malignant tumors of the neck and head 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 process of a comprehensive analysis that takes into account the form, stage of oncological pathology, as well as the presence of HPV in the patient , scientists noted a significant relationship between regular intake of non-steroidal drugs and a higher survival rate for patients with an altered PIK3CA gene (72%).
Patients with head and neck cancer without PIK3CA change and taking NSAIDs showed a survival rate of 25%.
“Regardless of whether patients have bad habits, human papillomavirus, or other possible factors, the constant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for neck and head cancer with changes in PIK3CA reduces the risk of dying from this pathology,” the scientists said.
Experts have proposed the most likely mechanism to explain this ability of the usual medicines. Thus, special tests on animals have shown 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 solution.
At the same time, scientists are in no hurry to reassure patients and argue that oncology can be treated with acetylsalicylic acid. Indeed, even explicit research results always require additional confirmation.
The material was published on the pages of the Journal of Experimental Medicine .