Further research evidence of benefits of aspirin or ibuprofen etc in preventing cancer recurrence

[drdu]

See the link below. There have been several articles today in various newspapers including Telegraph about this research, recently reported in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Interesting and important. As some of you will know I take ibuprofen regularly. See my previous posts. It appears that the cancer cells have to contain the mutated gene PIK3CA to respond to aspirin or ibuprofen or similar.

outlookindia.com/newsscroll...

independent.co.uk/news/heal...

Best wishes to everyone.

Eileen

[RonLitBer]

Thank you for posting. It is always good to get updated information.

The articles refer to head and neck cancers with a high percentage carrying the PIK3CA mutation.

I was trying to see the relation to ovarian cancer in regard to mutations in the PIK3CA gene and came across the link below.

There is a breakdown in regard to the different types of ovarian cancer and the likely scenario where the mutation might occur. It seems to be highest in clear cell (20-33%), endometrioid (20%), low grade serous (5%), high grade serous (less than 1%) and mucinous (rare). The site was last updated in 2015.

mycancergenome.org/content/...

[drdu in reply to RonLitBer]

Thank you, RonLitBer. That is very interesting. I looked up more re PIK3CA mutations after I did the post, and found this site

genome.gov/multimedia/slide...

It shows that only 3% of ovarian cancers have this mutation, which is a bit depressing, if true. Don't know anything about this site really.

My own cancer may well be endometrioid, I gather, from the histology, as all they could tell from that was that it was a gynaecological cancer, the cells being fairly undifferentiated.

I also was found, after diagnosis with Primary peritoneal cancer, to have a very small primary endometrial cancer polyp, which was symptomless till I started on chemotherapy for the presumed diagnosis of PPC, when I had a little vaginal spotting of blood, and they spotted it on CT scan, having missed it the first time, due to the volume of cancer material on scan, I gather. They said it was a possibility that I did not have PPC but endometrial cancer with massive abdominal secondaries, but on balance they thought the primary endometrial cancer was incidental, and I did have PPC. My ovaries were normal. I note from my link above that endometrial cancer has a 53% incidence of this mutation.

So I think I must have one of the rarer types of ovarian cancer, endometrioid (unless I have in fact had endometrial cancer?), which is more likely to have the PIK3CA mutation, from what you say, as is Clear cell ovarian cancer.

I think there is more to learn about all this, more research to be done before we have any clarity on this subject.

Thanks again.

Eileen

[RonLitBer in reply to drdu]

The 3% seems to be a bit low. The Christina Yau (Buck Institute for Research on Aging) presentation piece also lists Head & Neck cancers at 21% whereas the recent article you posted lists it at 34-50%. There appears to be an overrepresentation of PIK3CA mutations among the endometrioid and clear cell histological subtypes compared to the serous subtype of ovarian cancer. NSAIDs have been showing interesting/good results and the information you provided helps with specificity/personalization which is the direction that we all want research to go in. I guess my feeling is that this is perhaps another reason why genetic testing is worth doing. It will be good to learn more about this with additional research (as stated).

[drdu in reply to RonLitBer]

Yes indeed. Ibuprofen and aspirin obviously are very effective for some with cancer, which is good news for them. It's a great pity it doesn't work for us all.

Best wishes.

Eileen

[Lindaura in reply to RonLitBer]

Thank you for setting the record a bit straighter.

Miracle cures drive me crazy.

Especially when we are all so desperate for one!

Best wishes,

Laura

[drdu in reply to Lindaura]

All best wishes, Laura.

Eileen x

[Maus123 in reply to RonLitBer]

Good information from both of you, thanks. If I ever get around to a proper genetic tumour test, this goes on my list to look for, if possible.

The numbers are decent for clear cell and endometriol OC, but a bit disheartening for my low grade category.

Still, at this point I am continuing on 75mg of Aspirin every day, as long as my oncologist supports it. Gotta try, right?

Xx. Maus

[drdu in reply to Maus123]

I think we don't know enough yet about all the mechanisms against cancer. It is only one paper. Yes I would agree carry on with aspirin anyway.

All best wishes.

Eileen x

[Luci22]

Thanks for updating us on the latest. So....now what to do? For those without the mutation, should they continue with aspirin/ ibuprophen, if they are taking it? Anyone know if tumours can get tested just by asking them to do so?

[drdu in reply to Luci22]

I would keep on in case it is helping. As I said above, the doctors don't know everything about how medications have their effect. That is only one paper. Sometimes follow up research shows something different.

For our own cancers, I don't know if that mutation will already have been looked for or not. I don't think one paper has all the answers anyway, though it is very interesting.

I wouldn't advise anyone to stop aspirin/Ibuprofen just now anyway.

All best wishes.

Eileen x

[Luchie in reply to drdu]

I take nurofen when is ibuprofen I think regularly with paracetamol and it helps me a lot with my back pain. I take 1 nurofen & 1 paracetamol 3 times a day. I was told by my oncologist to go easy on paracetamol as its not very good to our liver. So I only take 3 tablets in 24 hours and more on nurofen. Thank you for your post. Long may it continue to work for you. Xxx

[Tay100 in reply to Luchie]

Hello, this is probably a silly question so please forgive and delete it. I’m taking one aspirin tablet 75mg, each day. Do you think this is enough or should I take ibuprofen as well, if so what dose should I take. I was diagnosed as stage 3c and have had a TAH and debulking and six rounds of chemo. My baseline scan was clear so like all of us I’m hoping to keep it away. Xx

[drdu in reply to Tay100]

Aspirin 75mg should be enough. That is a generally accepted dose. I wouldn't add in ibuprofen as it may cause side effects to your stomach if added to aspirin.

All best wishes.

Eileen xx

[Tay100 in reply to drdu]

Thank you! xx

[drdu in reply to Luchie]

Thank you very much, Luchie.

All best wishes.

Eileen xxx

[Luci22 in reply to drdu]

Okay great and is the tumor testing generally done or must be requested? I only recall genetic testing done. Thanks for the info and updates!

[drdu in reply to Luci22]

I saw my oncologist on Wednesday and she tells me that all tumours in Glasgow are now being genetically tested. So I expect that is the same throughout UK and very probably elsewhere. I asked her if she could test my tumour and she said she would ask for it but that she would not get the result, to my surprise. I just left it at that as the clinic was running late and I needed to go. However at least now the are doing genetic testing or getting genome of the tumour. Hope that helps.

Best wishes.

E xx

[Luci22 in reply to drdu]

Yes, this is helpful,thanks. It seems they are doing this for newer diagnosed cases.

Do you think there is a purpose to know the results of tumour testing during the remission stage, or only if there is a recurrence?

Thanks again for your insight,

Luci

[drdu in reply to Luci22]

Honestly I an not sure. I suppose knowing more should always be good.

Best wishes.

Eileen x

[kat98116]

Eileen (drdu) I have been cleared to take ibuprofen by my onc after chemo treatments, which make me feel like I have the flu. Lately, however, it bothers my stomach, even though it is a low dose. Did I read in a prior post that you take something beforehand to "coat" the stomach? Would love to know.....thanks, Kathy in Seattle

[drdu in reply to kat98116]

Yes you must take omeprazole or equivalent to protect your stomach if taking ibuprofen, or you will get problems. I take one 20mg omeprazole capsule once daily. It is a proton pump inhibitor. An alternative is lansoprazole 30mg once daily. Not sure what they will have in Seattle. Do get on to taking a proton pump inhibitor as soon as possible.

Best wishes.

Eileen x

[Artgreen]

Thanks for this Eileen it is very interesting. It seems that the NHS in Swindon here doesn’t do genetic testing on low grade serous so I’m waiting till I see my consultant to ask how I can go about getting this done to see if this could be helpful. There is so much to take in and try to understand.

Best wishes

Alex x

[drdu in reply to Artgreen]

Good luck. There may be more than one way that aspirin etc works, and so don't give up on it yet even if you don't have that mutated gene. It is only one paper, and so it's early days.

Best wishes.

Eileen x

[Melody6]

Thanks so much for posting this information, Eileen - very much appreciated. I am currently undergoing genetic testing - nothing has turned up yet. My tumour was endometrioid with clear cell so it will be interesting to find out if I carry this mutation...many thanks, again. Take care, Mel xx

[drdu in reply to Melody6]

Wishing you all the best with that, Mel. Would be interested to hear how it goes.

Eileen xx

[Melody6 in reply to drdu]

Thank you, Eileen - I will let u know - it will be another few months at least until I get all the results. With very best wishes, Mel xx.

[drdu in reply to Melody6]

Xx