Aspirin Foundation Meeting 2012

While aspirin does increase bleeding from the stomach, the bleeds are minor. Prof Elwood notes that overall, aspirin prevents much more serious conditions than it can potentially cause. Evidence also shows that this bleeding occurs mainly in cases of untreated hypertension and untreated gastric problems. In these cases, other drugs treat these problems and allow for the benefits to take affect. In addition, Prof Elwood discusses the complication of helicobacter pylori, which increases the risk of bleeding substantially.

Dr Ruth Langley talks to ecancer at the 2012 Aspirin Foundation meeting in London about the treatment of cancer with aspirin and the meta-analysis of Prof Peter Rockwell’s randomised trials that examined at the vascular effects of aspirin. The CAP 2 trial involved patients presdisposed to cancer, due to Lynch syndrome, and found a significant reduction in development of cancers when patients took aspirin daily. Results also showed that aspirin improves overall survival when taken after diagnosis and a reduction in the chance of recurrence. Dr Langley also discusses the design of the ‘Add Aspirin’ study, which will incorporate four randomised trials.

The Helico Eradication Aspirin Trial (HEAT) is an intervention trial that aims to reduce gastro and intestinal bleeding with aspirin. It's a widely held belief that aspirin can cause ulcers, but this only occurs in high doses. Prof Hawkey explains that ulcers are caused by other factors and aspirin increases the risk of bleeding in these cases. The HEAT trial examines helicobacter pylori, which is believed to cause bleeding peptic ulcers. In the pilot study there were 2,500 patients over a six-month period identified through general practice records and it was discovered that the ulcers are eliminated by curing the helicobacter pylori infection. In addition, the trial potentially discovered that aspirin increases the antibiotic effects of eliminating this infection.

Prof Hughes discusses antiphospholipid syndrome, also called Hughes syndrome, where blood clotting in arteries and veins in pregnant women causes a lack of oxygen to reach the foetus causing miscarriages. Using blood tests, this syndrome can be identified and treated very quickly using 75mg of aspirin during the pregnancy. The success rate in treating Hughes syndrome is now 90 percent. Prof Hughes also discusses the Hughes Syndrome Foundation, which offers information on the syndrome.

The executive director of the Aspirin Foundation, Nick Henderson, discusses the progress made in the discovery of uses for the drug, as well as the history of the foundation and its meetings.

Prof Carlo Patrono discusses the cardiovascular risks and benefits of daily aspirin use. Aspirin has unique pharmacodynamic on platelets when taken daily. This is seen in the fact that the maximum effect of aspirin is achieved in low doses and a higher dosage does not increase the effects, preventing side effects such as bleeding.

Prof John McNeil, chair of the 2012 Aspirin Foundation meeting, talks to ecancer about the ASPRee study, which aims to provide evidence that aspirin prolongs disability free survival. The ultimate end point of the study is to make aspirin a standard of care in elderly patients.