Editorial: aspirin and NSAID for chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma-ready for their use?

The underlying regulatory mechanisms of colorectal carcinoma by combining Vitexin and Aspirin: based on systems biology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and in vitro study

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent digestive system malignancy. Aspirin is currently one of the most promising chemopreventive agents for CRC, and the combination of aspirin and natural compounds helps to enhance the anticancer activity of aspirin. Natural flavonoids like vitexin have an anticancer activity focusing on colorectal carcinoma.

Methods

This study investigated the potential mechanism of action of the novel combination of vitexin and aspirin against colorectal cancer through network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and in vitro experiments.

Results

The results of network pharmacology suggested that vitexin and aspirin regulate multiple signaling pathways through various target proteins such as NFKB1, PTGS2 (COX-2), MAPK1, MAPK3, and TP53. Cellular experiments revealed that the combined effect of vitexin and aspirin significantly inhibited HT-29 cell growth. Vitexin dose-dependently inhibited COX-2 expression in cells and enhanced the down-regulation of COX-2 and NF-κB expression in colorectal cancer cells by aspirin.

Discussion

This study provides a pharmacodynamic material and theoretical basis for applying agents against colorectal cancer to delay the development of drug resistance and improve the prognosis of cancer patients.

Clinical Indication of Aspirin Associated With Reduced Risk of Liver Cancer in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Nationwide Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Despite the overall association of aspirin on reduced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk, there have been few studies on its benefit according to specific clinical conditions among hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. This study aimed to identify subgroups which benefit from long-term aspirin use.

METHODS

Nationwide data covering the HBV-infected population in the Republic of Korea from 2010 to 2011 were analyzed. Patients who had been taking Aspirin for ≥3 years were classified as aspirin users. The primary outcome was HCC development. The multivariable Fine and Gray competing risk regression model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) in the entire cohort. Propensity score matching at a 1:4 ratio was also performed.

RESULTS

Among 161,673 patients, 7,083 newly developed HCC during follow-up (mean: 7.5 years). After adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cirrhosis, antivirals, metformin, statin, smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, aspirin users (n = 9,837) were less likely to develop HCC; the adjusted HR was 0.84 (P = 0.002) in the entire cohort and 0.87 (P = 0.010) in the matched cohort. Association of aspirin use with all-cause mortality was not significant (HR = 0.93; P = 0.192), whereas association with liver-related mortality was significant (HR = 0.79; P = 0.019). A significant association was observed in the subgroups with cirrhosis, both sexes, hypertension, non-diabetes mellitus, nonantivirals against chronic hepatitis B, nonmetformin use, nonstatin use, both smoking histories, and obesity (all P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Long-term aspirin use is significantly associated with reduced risk of HCC in chronic HBV patients. More comprehensive studies should be implemented to clarify the causal relationship.