Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal type of cancer caused by several genetic factors. A recent study investigated whether the protection afforded by frequent use of aspirin, which has been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, was affected by a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Aspirin is used to treat everything from fever, headache, menstrual cramps, muscle and toothaches to pain associated with arthritis. It is also used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, its use should be considered according to potential adverse effects such as gastric bleeding and stroke.
Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women. According to World Cancer Research Fund International, 207,252 of her died from ovarian cancer worldwide in 2020. The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, family history, and the presence of breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations.
Australian and international researchers recently determined whether the reduced ovarian cancer risk associated with frequent aspirin use (daily or near-daily use for more than 6 months) is influenced by genetic factors. To this end, we conducted a meta-analysis of eight studies.
Researchers have previously investigated whether women at high risk of ovarian cancer due to factors such as endometriosis, obesity, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and no children benefit from frequent aspirin use. found that frequent aspirin use reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 13%.
In the current study, genetic susceptibility to ovarian cancer was summarized using the polygenic score (PGS), which represents the total number of genetic variants that increase the risk of developing a particular disease. Combining PGS with other factors that influence disease risk provides a better understanding of the likelihood of contracting a particular disease than either alone.
Data from 4,476 patients with various types of ovarian cancer (excluding mucinous ovarian cancer) and 6,659 control subjects were tested. Consistent with results from previous studies, researchers found that frequent aspirin use was associated with a 13% reduction in ovarian cancer.
They also found that genetic susceptibility to ovarian cancer did not reduce the protective effects of frequent aspirin use.
The results suggest that genetic susceptibility to ovarian cancer does not undermine the protective value of frequent aspirin use in this type of cancer and that aspirin remains an important agent in the fight against ovarian cancer. suggesting.
This research JAMA network open.
Source: JAMA Network Open via Scimex
