Effects of ASA on Prostate Tissue

In Vivo Molecular Effects of Aspirin on Prostate Tissue

Aspirin affects many physiological processes through its anti-inflammatory actions. Various cancers, including prostate cancer, appear to utilize inflammatory signals to facilitate their growth and progression.

We hypothesize that oral aspirin acts directly on prostate epithelial cells to alter COX-2-related metabolism and inhibit prostate cell growth.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in men and is the second leading cause of cancer death among U.S. men. 221,000 new cases and 29,000 deaths are expected in 2003. The incidence of prostate cancer diagnosis is increasing at 3% per year. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening has resulted in improvements in early diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, available treatments all may have a significant negative effect on quality of life.

Studies have implicated a beneficial association between ASA use and a lower risk of other types of malignancies, including stomach, esophageal, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. There is significant evidence to suggest that aspirin has a protective effect against prostate cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• May be on watchful waiting for low grade prostate cancer who are scheduled for biopsy to monitor disease.
• Have a previous diagnosis of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) before either second biopsy or even is second biopsy still has PIN or ASAP and they are to undergo a third biopsy.
• Extended-sector (at least 10 cores) prostate biopsy performed within three months of enrollment.
• Prostate tissue frozen at time of prostate biopsy (UW #04-3963-V 01)
• PSA less than 15.
• Performance status 0 or 1 by the ECOG scale.
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent document.
• Willingness to take 325mg enteric coated aspirin daily and abstain from any other NSAID, aspirin product, or COX-2 inhibitor during the study.
• Willingness to abstain from any hormonal or herbal preparation indicated to affect hormone levels during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any prior or concurrent hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or investigational agents.
• Use of Finasteride, Dutasteride, saw palmetto, or any herbal/nutritional preparation indicated to affect hormone levels.
• Use of 325mg aspirin three or more times a week.
• Use of NSAIDS three or more times a week.
• Use of NSAIDs, Cox-2 inhibitors and/or aspirin for 6 weeks prior to study enrollment and during the 3-month intervention.
• Known bleeding disorder.
• History of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• History of peptic or duodenal ulcer disease.
• History of stroke.
• History of serious bleeding, including but not limited to hemorrhagic stroke, epistaxis, hematuria, hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding requiring cauterization.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Aspirin sensitivity or allergy.
• Liver disease with known ascites, varices, clotting disorder, or liver function test >1.5 normal.
• Anemia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged INR.
• Elective surgery scheduled during 3-month intervention.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, CHD presently requiring a revascularization procedure, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.