Specific Aim I: Examine the role of genetic variation in COMT on platelet function in a blinded, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial of daily placebo or Aspirin (81mg) for 10 ± 3 days. Platelet function will be assessed with platelet aggregometry and by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of platelet adhesion molecules P-selectin and GPIIb/IIIa in platelets activated with arachidonic acid, thrombin, collagen, epinephrine and ADP.

Specific Aim II: Examine the effects of platelet releasates harvested at the end of each treatment arm on angiogenesis.

This is a randomized double-blinded, placebo controlled study. This study is designed to detect the variation in platelet function based on COMT variation and how these platelets respond to cancerous cells.

We expect to recruit 60 healthy participants with the intention of studying 45 participants to complete the protocol.

Individuals aged 18 to 40 years will be eligible to participate in this study if they do not have history of fainting/problems related to blood draws, major chronic medical illnesses, regular or current treatment of Aspirin™.

Examine the role of genetic variation in in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) on platelet function in a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial of daily Aspirin™ (81 mg) versus placebo over 10-14 days. Platelet function will be assessed with a platelet aggregometry and by fluorescence-activated cell sorting assessment of platelet adhesion molecule GPIIIb/IIIa and p-selectin.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy, 18-40 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• taking aspirin. Smoking, pregnancy, history of cancer of cardiovascular disease. Mental illness.

The generation of large-scale human or non-human genome data is not an explicit plan in this proposal. However, any genomic data as it pertains to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) arrays, and genome sequence, transcriptomic, epigenomic, or gene expression data produced from the work in this award will be made publicly available through the appropriate NIH data repositories including array express, Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP), Database of Short Genetic Variations (dbSNP) or Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We intend to share the results from this study in published manuscripts and presentations at National Meetings. Unique methodology or results developed or generated through this study will be made readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. Interested researchers will be able to contact the corresponding authors of the publications for information about access to resources.

Double-blind