Aspirin is marketed as a ‘miracle drug’ because of its potential to keep chronic inflammation in check; however, taking too much aspirin may severely damage the fine mucous lining in the stomach and cause other problems. Now, California-based City of Hope researchers have noticed aspirin reduces colorectal cancer growth and inhibits its recurrence. The researchers are still trying to determine the right daily dosage of aspirin that is needed to treat and prevent colorectal cancer, one of the top five cancers diagnosed in the US every year, without causing unwanted side effects such as stomach and brain bleeds.

Using mouse models, the researchers found that the percentage of cells programmed to die depended on the amount of aspirin consumed, suggesting that aspirin triggers a domino effect of cell death in all colorectal cell lines, regardless of their genetic background. In addition, low-dose aspirin (15mg/kg – the mouse equivalent of 100mg for humans) was especially effective in suppressing tumour growth in mice that had more PIK3CA genes. The finding was significant because tumours with mutations in the PIK3CA gene has been tied to an increased risk of endometrial, colon and aggressive breast cancers.

Further mathematical modeling measured the rates of cell division and cell death and determined the probability that tumor cell colonies could survive and develop into actual tumors, adding more “confidence to the findings” as remarked by Ajay Goel, Chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Translational Oncology at City of Hope.

In modern times, mathematics and computational biology seem to play an increasingly larger role in cancer research – City of Hope’s Russell Rockne said mathematical oncologists like himself “use math to explain why something like aspirin could have an inhibitory effect against colorectal cancer.” The data could ultimately influence future human trial designs against the far-reaching disease.