Aspirin and non-small cell lung cancer resections: effect on long-term survival.
OBJECTIVE
Survival after resections for non-small cell lung cancer remains poor. Recurrent lung cancer remains common. Due to the common risk factor of smoking, cardiovascular deaths occur in the absence of recurrent lung cancer in up to 15% of patients. Aspirin has been proven to reduce cardiovascular mortality as a secondary prophylactic agent, but not as a primary agent. Aspirin being a COX-2 inhibitor has been shown to reduce the chance of metastasis in adenocarcinoma but not squamous carcinoma. We sought to investigate the effect of long-term aspirin therapy on survival post potentially curative surgery.


METHODS
We analysed a prospective thoracic surgical database, from time period 2003 to date. Patients who were on aspirin pre-operatively, N=412 were compared to non users, N=1353. Patient long-term outcome was assessed utilising the national strategic tracking service that operates in the United Kingdom. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine significant factors affecting survival.


RESULTS
100% survival follow up was achieved. Regular users of aspirin had >5% increased survival, which was significant, p=0.05, despite having a higher cardiovascular risk profile. Mode of death data was not available.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjuvant aspirin post resection for potentially curative non-small cell lung cancer significantly increases survival. The mechanism of increased survival needs further investigation and is the basis for the trial: Adjuvant Aspirin for Non-Small cell Lung Cancer--The Big A Trial. www.TheBigATrial.co.uk.
Fontaine
Eustace
E
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool, L14 3PE England, United Kingdom.
McShane
James
J
Page
Richard
R
Shackcloth
Michael
M
Mediratta
Neeraj
N
Carr
Martyn
M
Soorae
Ajab
A
Poullis
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin