Aspirina, altri anti-infiammatori non steroidei e tumori colorettali: Possibile ruolo preventivo

Over the last decade, several epidemiological studies indicated a potential chemopreventive effect of aspirin, and to a smaller extent of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), with respect to colon cancer. Several observational studies showed that regular aspirin use is associated with a reduction of colorectal cancer risk by 40 to 50%, with linear trends in risk with dose and duration of use. A long latency between use of NSAID and prevention of colorectal cancer may be required. The ethiopathogenic mechanisms are still partly unclear, but it would appear that the mechanisms underlying the etiopathogenic chemopreventive actions of NSAID with respect to colon cancer are inhibition of tromboxane and prostaglandins which are involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation and, therefore, in the process of colorectal carcinogenesis starting.