Use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a population-based case-control study

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and statin drugs may protect against the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but data are limited, particularly for NHL subtypes. Furthermore, some in vitro, animal and epidemiologic data suggest there may be a synergistic effect of these two agents, but there has been no test of this hypothesis in NHL. We evaluated the self-reported use of NSAIDs and statins in a clinic-based study of 1703 NHL patients and 2199 frequency-matched controls. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounding variables. We observed an inverse association of regular use of low-dose aspirin with risk of NHL (OR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.70-0.96) that was stronger with longer duration of use (P < .01). There were no associations for use of regular or extra-strength aspirin, ibuprofen, other NSAIDs, statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs with NHL risk, while an inverse association with COX-2 inhibitors was equivocal. There was also no interaction of low-dose aspirin and statins on NHL risk. Inverse associations of similar magnitude to all NHL were observed for regular use of low-dose aspirin with diffuse large B-cell, follicular, marginal zone and all other lymphomas, although not all associations were statistically significant. In conclusion, low-dose aspirin but not regular/extra strength aspirin, other NSAIDs or statin use was associated with lower risk of NHL. Beyond the potential for the primary prevention of NHL, these data also point to a role of anti-platelet or other effects of low-dose aspirin in lymphomagenesis that warrant follow-up.

Associations between aspirin use and the risk of cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

Epidemiological studies have clarified the potential associations between regular aspirin use and cancers. However, it remains controversial on whether aspirin use decreases the risk of cancers risks. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to assess the associations between aspirin use and cancers.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to March 2017 to identify relevant studies. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations.

Results

A total of 218 studies with 309 reports were eligible for this meta-analysis. Aspirin use was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of overall cancer (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.87–0.91), and gastric (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65–0.86), esophageal (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.89), colorectal (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.74–0.85), pancreatic (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68–0.93), ovarian (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.95), endometrial (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99), breast (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88–0.96), and prostate (RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99) cancers, as well as small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (RR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05–0.58).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, endometrial, breast, and prostate cancers, and small intestine neuroendocrine tumors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4156-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aspirin and risk of multiple myeloma in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon plasma cell malignancy. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that aspirin might modify the risk of multiple myeloma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to examine the association between regular aspirin use and risk of multiple myeloma. Five observational studies including 332,660 adults were evaluated. The pooled estimate had a hazard ratio of 0.90 (95% confidence interval =0.58−1.39; P=0.638). Odds ratios from the two case-control studies were similar. The findings demonstrated that there was no significant association between aspirin use and the risk of multiple myeloma.

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This is a systematic review of aspirin use on the incidence risk of multiple myeloma.

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There is no evidence that aspirin modifies the risk of multiple myeloma.

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More studies are needed to assess the impact of aspirin on the risk of multiple myeloma.

Role of the tumor microenvironment in regulating apoptosis and cancer progression

Apoptosis is a gene-directed program that is engaged to efficiently eliminate dysfunctional cells. Evasion of apoptosis may be an important gate to tumor initiation and therapy resistance. Like any other developmental program, apoptosis can be disrupted by several genetic aberrations driving malignant cells into an uncontrolled progression and survival. For its sustained growth, cancer develops in a complex environment, which provides survival signals and rescues malignant cells from apoptosis. Recent studies have clearly shown a wide interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, confirming the influence of the surrounding cells on tumor expansion and invasion. These non-malignant cells not only intensify tumor cells growth but also upgrade the process of metastasis. The strong crosstalk between malignant cells and a reactive microenvironment is mediated by soluble chemokines and cytokines, which act on tumor cells through surface receptors. Disturbing the microenvironment signaling might be an encouraging approach for patient's treatment. Therefore, the ultimate knowledge of "tumor-microenvironment" interactions facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic procedures that mobilize cancer cells from their supportive cells. This review focuses on cancer progression mediated by the dysfunction of apoptosis and by the fundamental relationship between tumor and reactive cells. New insights and valuable targets for cancer prevention and therapy are also presented.

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Epidemiological study findings regarding the association between use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have been inconsistent. We aimed to systematically review epidemiological studies of the association and calculate pooled relative risks using meta-analytic methods. We searched eight electronic literature databases and three clinical trial registers to identify all studies (including observational studies and randomized clinical trials) of the association published prior to October 2013. Identified studies were independently reviewed by two researchers. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled odds ratio (PORs). Heterogeneity amongst studies was examined using Cochran's Q and I-squared (I(2)) tests; and sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup and meta-regression analyses. A total of 17 studies (12 case-control studies and five cohort studies), all adult studies, were included. Use of NSAIDs was not associated with overall risk of NHL [POR = 1.05, and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.90-1.22] or NHL subtypes including B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Aspirin use was associated with reduced risk of CLL/SLL (POR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91) but not with the risk of all NHLs (POR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.89-1.17). Use of non-aspirin NSAIDs was associated with increased risk of NHL (POR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97) amongst females only. The epidemiologic evidence remains inconclusive. Effects of NSAIDs may differ by drug type, NHL subtype, and sex and more studies taking into consideration these differences are needed.

Regular aspirin use and risk of multiple myeloma: a prospective analysis in the health professionals follow-up study and nurses' health study

Multiple myeloma is a lethal malignancy with an unknown etiology and no prevention strategy. Aspirin inhibits several pathways mediated by NF-κB, COX-2, or their targets that are important in multiple myeloma pathogenesis. We conducted prospective analyses in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and Nurses' Health Study cohorts to examine whether regular aspirin use influences multiple myeloma risk. We used biennially updated data to characterize aspirin use from baseline through a cancer diagnosis, death, or 2008. We applied a 4-year lag in exposure classification to diminish the influence of preclinical multiple myeloma on aspirin use habits. We obtained HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from multivariable proportional hazard models to assess the association of aspirin use with multiple myeloma risk. We tested for trend across increasing quantity and duration of use. During 2,395,458 person-years, we confirmed 328 incident multiple myeloma diagnoses, including 265 with prospective information on typical aspirin dose and frequency. Participants with a cumulative average of ≥5 adult strength (325 mg) tablets per week had a 39% lower multiple myeloma risk than nonusers (HR; 95% CI, 0.61, 0.39-0.94; tablets per week, Ptrend = 0.06). Persons with ≥11 years of continuous regular aspirin use also had a lower multiple myeloma risk (HR; 95% CI, 0.63, 0.41-0.95; duration, Ptrend = 0.17). The associations appeared stronger in men than in women, possibly reflecting gender differences in aspirin use patterns. This prospective study of aspirin use and multiple myeloma supports an etiologic role for aspirin-inhibited (i.e., NF-κB- or COX-2 mediated) pathways. The utility of aspirin for multiple myeloma chemoprevention warrants further evaluation.

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of non-hodgkin lymphoma

Few large prospective studies have examined associations between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We examined the association between NSAID use and NHL incidence among 149,570 participants in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition cohort. Aspirin and nonaspirin NSAID use were reported at enrollment in 1992 and updated on periodic follow-up questionnaires. During follow-up through 2007, 1,709 incident NHLs were identified. Time-dependent hazard ratios were calculated using extended Cox regression. Compared to no use, current use of 60+ NSAID pills/month (aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs combined) was associated with slightly higher NHL incidence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.53), but no association with frequency of use was observed when NSAID exposure was lagged by approximately 2 years (HR = 1.08, 95% CI, 0.88-1.32). Long duration regular use (current use of 30+ pills/month for ≥5 years) was not associated with NHL incidence (HR = 1.09, 95% CI, 0.91-1.33). In subtype analyses, current use of 60+ NSAID pills/month was associated with follicular lymphoma incidence (HR = 1.87, 95% CI, 1.08-3.24). This association persisted when NSAID exposure was lagged (HR = 1.76, 95% CI, 1.04-2.98) and was similar for aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs. The association of current, but not lagged, NSAID use with risk of all NHL could be attributable to use of NSAIDs to relieve symptoms of undiagnosed NHL. However, the association with follicular lymphoma persisted in analyses where NSAID use was lagged and should be investigated further. These findings are particularly important for aspirin as the risks and benefits of prophylactic daily use are weighed.

Current understanding of lifestyle and environmental factors and risk of non-hodgkin lymphoma: an epidemiological update

The incidence rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have steadily increased over the last several decades in the United States, and the temporal trends in incidence can only be partially explained by the HIV epidemic. In 1992, an international workshop sponsored by the United States National Cancer Institute concluded that there was an “emerging epidemic” of NHL and emphasized the need to investigate the factors responsible for the increasing incidence of this disease. Over the past two decades, numerous epidemiological studies have examined the risk factors for NHL, particularly for putative environmental and lifestyle risk factors, and international consortia have been established in order to investigate rare exposures and NHL subtype-specific associations. While few consistent risk factors for NHL aside from immunosuppression and certain infectious agents have emerged, suggestive associations with several lifestyle and environmental factors have been reported in epidemiologic studies. Further, increasing evidence has suggested that the effects of these and other exposures may be limited to or stronger for particular NHL subtypes. This paper examines the progress that has been made over the last twenty years in elucidating the etiology of NHL, with a primary emphasis on lifestyle factors and environmental exposures.

Exposure to cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and risk of cancer: nested case-control studies

BACKGROUND

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibitors are widely used as analgesics and it is unclear whether its long-term use affects cancer risk.

METHODS

A series of nested case-control studies using the QResearch primary care database. Associations of COX2 inhibitor use with risk of all cancers and 10 common site-specific cancers were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for comorbidities, smoking status, socioeconomic status, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and statins.

RESULTS

A total of 88,125 cancers, diagnosed between 1998 and 2008, matched with up to five controls, were analysed. Use of COX2 inhibitors for more than a year was associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.42) and haematological malignancies (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12-1.69) and a decreased risk of colorectal cancer (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63-0.92). There were no other significant associations.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged use of COX2 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk of breast and haematological cancers and decreased risk of colorectal cancer. These findings need to be confirmed using other data sources.

Effect of concomitant statin, metformin, or aspirin on rituximab treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Several pre-clinical studies report that statins interfere with the surface binding of rituximab to CD20. This study investigated the effects of statins in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy, and the impact of commonly used drugs, metformin and aspirin, on the clinical outcomes of patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy. We included 213 patients with DLBCL who received rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy. Details of statin, metformin, and aspirin use and initiation of chemoimmunotherapy were abstracted from medical records. All patients received rituximab, and 47 (22.1%) were taking statins. The median age of patients receiving statins was significantly higher compared to those who did not (p <0.001). Response rates between patients receiving and not receiving statins were not significantly different (85.1% vs. 87.3%; p = 0.688). Event-free survival (EFS) was not significantly different (p = 0.352). Overall survival was lower in patients receiving statins compared to those who did not (p = 0.036). However, it was no longer significant after adjustment for age (p = 0.140). Metformin had no impact on the response rate (p = 0.268), EFS (p = 0.574), and overall survival (p = 0.141). Aspirin had no impact on the response rate (p = 0.784), EFS (p = 0.836), and overall survival (p = 0.779). Statins do not interfere with rituximab, and need not be withheld during rituximab administration. Larger studies are needed to confirm the impact of metformin and aspirin on patients with DLBCL receiving chemoimmunotherapy.

Common immune-related risk factors and incident non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the multiethnic cohort

Severe immune dysfunction is an established risk factor of lymphoma, but the role of moderate alterations of immunity is not clear and prospective investigations are needed. We examined several immune-related disorders and medications in relation to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the Multiethnic Cohort. Over 215,000 subjects of African American, Caucasian, Japanese American, Latino and Native Hawaiian ancestry aged 45-75 years completed a questionnaire, including information on medical history, in 1993-1996. After exclusions, we performed Cox regression among 193,050 cohort members including 939 incident NHL cases while adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, education, body mass index and alcohol intake. Self-reported diabetes was not associated with NHL overall, but was positively associated with risk among Japanese Americans [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-2.17]. Participants with a history of blood transfusion were at increased risk with HR = 1.39 (95% CI: 1.06-1.84) in men and HR = 1.22 (95% CI: 0.94-1.58) in women, especially for the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype. History of asthma or other allergies was associated with elevated risk only among Latinos (HR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.07-2.00) who also showed a significant relation between current use of antihistamines and NHL (HR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.09-2.97). Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was not associated with NHL. Our findings from this large prospective study support a moderate risk for NHL related to blood transfusions, current long-term antihistamine use and diabetes, but the associations were limited to certain ethnic groups and require further replications.

Aspirin and cancer risk: a summary review to 2007

Aspirin has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and--based on limited evidence--to cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, breast, ovary and lung. The role of aspirin on other cancers, such as pancreatic, prostate and bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and myeloma is less clear, and an increase of risk has been suggested for kidney cancer. For most cancer sites, however, significant heterogeneity between studies, and particularly between study design, was found, with a reduction in risk generally stronger in case-control studies than in cohort ones.

The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the risk of development and treatment of hematologic malignancies

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) comprise the group of structurally diverse but similarly acting compounds that are used for relieving signs and symptoms of inflammation, especially in treatment of rheumatic diseases. Recent reports suggested potential association between regular use of NSAIDs and the risk of development of hematological malignancies. However, the data distinctly differ depending on type of NSAID used, period of its administration and type of malignancy. Regular use of aspirin and other NSAIDs was shown to correlate with reduced risk of lymphoid malignancies. Frequent use of aspirin was found to be associated with decreased risk of acute leukemia (AL) development. In contrast, correlation between long-term acetaminophen usage and increased incidence of AL and multiple myeloma (MM) was indicated. On the other hand, NSAIDs were found to exert anti-cancer effects, inhibiting proliferation and invasive growth or inducing cell apoptosis in several tumors, including hematologic malignancies. One of those agents, non-cyclooxygenase 2-inhibiting R-enantiomer of etodolac (SDX-101), exerts cytotoxic effects against chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and MM cells, and is currently investigated in phase II clinical trial in CLL. The indole-pyran analogue of SDX-101, SDX-308 (CEP-18082), showed more potent cytotoxicity than SDX-101 against MM cells and inhibited osteoclast formation and activity of mature osteoclasts. Thus, SDX-308 may be an ideal agent for bone disease in MM and related diseases. Another analogue of SDX-101, SDX-309, showed also significant anti-tumor activity in first preclinical studies. The potential role of NSAIDs in prevention and treatment of hematologic malignancies is the subject of this review.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women: reproductive factors and exogenous hormone use

Few studies of reproductive hormone exposures and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have examined NHL subtypes. Associations between reproductive hormonal factors and risk of all NHL and of two predominant subtypes, diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL) (n = 233) and follicular lymphoma (n = 173), were investigated among women (n = 581) in a large, population-based, case-control study (1,591 cases, 2,515 controls). Controls (n = 836) identified by random digit dialing were frequency matched by age and county to incident NHL cases ascertained in the San Francisco Bay Area of California in 1988-1993. Adjusted unconditional logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios. More than four pregnancies indicated a possible lower risk of all NHL (odds ratio (OR) = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55, 1.2; p-trend = 0.06) and of DLCL (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.90; p-trend = 0.01). Exclusive use of menopausal hormone therapy for > or =5 years was associated with a reduced risk of all NHL (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.98) and of DLCL (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.85). Oral contraceptive use indicated a lower risk of all NHL (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.94), and perhaps DLCL (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.51, 1.2), and of follicular lymphoma (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.46, 1.2). Results suggest that endogenous and exogenous reproductive hormones confer different risks by NHL subtype and are associated with a reduced risk of DLCL in women.

Joint effect between regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, variants in inflammatory genes and risk of lymphoma

OBJECTIVE

Limited evidence suggests the importance of inflammatory processes for the etiology of lymphomas. To further research in this area, we investigated the role of genetic variants in key inflammatory factors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] use, and their joint effect in lymphomagenesis.

METHODS

The study comprised 710 case-control pairs, matched for gender, age, and study region. We examined the association of regular NSAID use and polymorphisms in prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (COX2), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), interleukin-1 alpha (IL1A), IL-1 beta (IL1B), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA), and lymphoma risk by applying logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Regular NSAID use was associated with a slightly reduced risk of B-NHL (OR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.6-1.1). For T-NHL, the COX2 rs2745557 A-allele conferred a 2.2-fold (95% CI = 1.1-4.5) and homozygosis for the IL1RN rs454078 T-allele was associated with a 4.5-fold (95% CI = 1.4-13.9) elevated risk, however, based on sparse data. IL1 haplotype 5 was associated with a statistically significant 43% increased risk for B-NHL among non-regular users of NSAIDs, but a 70% decreased risk for regular users (p-value for interaction < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the relevance of joint effects between NSAID use and IL1 haplotypes on the risk of B-NHL.