Aspirin for Lynch syndrome: a legacy of prevention

Uptake of Aspirin Chemoprevention in Patients With Lynch Syndrome

PURPOSE

Individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS) are at a high lifetime risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and other cancers. Aspirin (ASA), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has proven chemopreventive benefits in LS, with the CAPP2 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial demonstrating a 60% relative risk reduction for CRC among participants who adhered to ASA for 2 years or more. This study sought to characterize uptake of ASA/NSAIDs among individuals with LS and to understand factors associated with use.

METHODS

Individuals with LS were invited (June 2020-August 2022) to complete a one-time electronic survey about LS screening behaviors, uptake of ASA/NSAIDs, and current/emerging cancer prevention options. Participants were recruited from the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) Risk Assessment Program Registry and through a research invitation posted to two patient-facing LS advocacy websites.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-six participants completed the survey including 116 (39.2%) from FCCC and 180 (60.8%) recruited via the Internet, including 14.9% non-US based individuals. Uptake of regular ASA or NSAIDs was modest at 34.8% and was even lower (25.7%) when focusing on individuals taking ASA or NSAIDs solely for chemoprevention of LS. More than half (55%) were taking <100 mg ASA daily. In multivariable modeling, lower perceived threat of LS (odds ratio [OR], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.72 to 0.98]), lower concern for side effects (OR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.76 to 0.99]), and higher likelihood of recommending ASA/NSAIDs to family or a friend were all associated with ASA/NSAIDs use (OR, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.37 to 2.10]).

CONCLUSION

Uptake of ASA/NSAIDs chemoprevention is modest among individuals with LS. Patient perceptions of the pros and cons of ASA, more so than demographic and disease-related factors, were associated with chemoprevention uptake.

Chemoprevention Considerations in Patients with Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes

Secondary prevention of colorectal neoplasia with chemoprevention is long-studied area of research and clinical use in patients with the 2 most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis. No medication is currently approved for use for the prevention of colorectal polyps or cancer in either the general population or individuals with the hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Emerging data in animal models and limited data in humans suggest vaccines may be the next breakthrough for neoplasia prevention in patients with hereditary colorectal cancer. Clinicians must acknowledge chemoprevention is an adjunct and does not supplant endoscopic surveillance.

The Inherited and Familial Component of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as that diagnosed before the age of 50, accounts for 10–12% of all new colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses. Epidemiological data indicate that EOCRC incidence is increasing, despite the observed heterogeneity among countries. Although the cause for such increase remains obscure, ≈13% (range: 9–26%) of EOCRC patients carry pathogenic germline variants in known cancer predisposition genes, including 2.5% of patients with germline pathogenic variants in hereditary cancer genes traditionally not associated with CRC predisposition. Approximately 28% of EOCRC patients have family history of the disease. This article recapitulates current evidence on the inherited syndromes that predispose to EOCRC and its familial component. The evidence gathered support that all patients diagnosed with an EOCRC should be referred to a specialized genetic counseling service and offered somatic and germline pancancer multigene panel testing. The identification of a germline pathogenic variant in a known hereditary cancer gene has relevant implications for the clinical management of the patient and his/her relatives, and it may guide surgical and therapeutic decisions. The relative high prevalence of hereditary cancer syndromes and familial component among EOCRC patients supports further research that helps understand the genetic background, either monogenic or polygenic, behind this increasingly common disease.