Aspirin could combat throat cancer

8:55am Thursday 25th January 2007

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Medical researchers in Oxford are investigating whether the humble aspirin could be used to prevent throat cancer.

Aspirin is being combined with an anti-ulcer drug to try to prevent a condition called Barrett's oesophagus from developing into oesophageal cancer.

Barrett's oesophagus affects up to two per cent of the UK population and is responsible for half of all oesophageal cancers.

Patients with the condition have stomach acid that rises from the stomach into the oesophagus, usually causing frequent heartburn.

The acid damages the cells in the lining of the throat and in some cases they turn cancerous.

The Cancer Research UK-funded trial aims to see if aspirin and the anti-ulcer drug can prevent this condition of the oesophagus worsening and its progression to cancer.

Researcher Mr Nick Maynard, a consultant surgeon based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "Only a small proportion of those with Barrett's oesophagus will develop oesophageal cancer, but an increasing number of people in the UK are developing this cancer.

"This research should provide us with valuable knowledge on how to prevent oesophageal cancer."

The researchers will use combinations of aspirin and a drug called esomeprazole to treat Barrett's oesophagus.

It is thought aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties may reduce the chances of the Barrett's cells turning cancerous.

The investigation is one of the largest cancer prevention trials in the world, with 5,000 men and women who have Barrett's oesophagus recruited from over 50 UK centres.

The trial's lead researcher, Prof Janusz Jankowski, based in the department of clinical pharmacology at Oxford University, said: "The UK is at the epicentre of researching new ways to tackle this cancer.

"We hope these drugs will offer a simple method of preventing this particularly aggressive form of the disease.

"We are at the crucial stage of recruiting people with Barrett's oesophagus to this important trial.

"These people will not only get the best possible care, they will also help uncover key clues in the fight against cancer."

Anyone who has Barrett's oesophagus and would like to take part in the trial can get more information by calling research nurse Pauline Darbyshire on 01865 225426 or Mr Maynard's secretary on 01865 220280.