Aspirin Can Halt Hormone Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Connecticut found that prostate cancer patients taking low dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes had a lower survival rate than those men who didn’t follow an aspirin regimen.
The scientists attribute the difference in mortality rates to the interruption of hormone therapies used to treat intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer.
The interruptions occur because hormone treatments impact the body’s ability to metabolize aspirin which can affect the patient’s liver function. If liver tests routinely given to cancer patients detect an abnormality, physicians may discontinue anti-androgen therapy so liver problems aren’t aggravated.
In the Dana-Farber/UConn study, one androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) called flutamide had to be discontinued in 37 percent of the patients taking baby aspirin because the men’s liver function tests showed abnormalities. After seven years, the patients who stopped flutamide treatments early experienced a death rate 3.5 times higher than those who received the full course of both hormones. Prostate cancer patients who received radiation treatments alone had a mortality rate 6.1 times higher than those who received both hormone therapies.
The scientists say their findings underscore the importance of informing your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking. As one doctor pointed out,
“It is important for the public to be aware that commonly used medications can interfere with the deliver of full-dose cancer therapy that may compromise curability.”
Dr Anthony V. D’Amico
Chair, Division of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
More information on the study has been published in the December 27, 2007, edition of New England Journal of Medicine.
Source: White Coat Notes from The Boston Globe
Related Links: USA Today; Connecticare; Yahoo! News; National Prostate Cancer Coalition
Related Podcast: Marking a Milestone in Prostate Cancer Treatment from NPR
Related Spanish/Español Links: HealthDay
Tags: urologic oncology; male genital cancer; chemotherapy; Harvard Medical School; Drogenil®; Dr Philip W Kantoff; Ming-Hui Chen; Massachusetts; Storrs, CT; pharmacokinetics
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