Researchers analyzed data from several clinical trials to see if taking anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or COX-2 inhibitors after surgery could help patients with a specific type of colorectal cancer. The cancer had a particular genetic change called a PIK3CA mutation. The study included data from 426 patients who received NSAIDs and 363 who received a placebo after their cancer was surgically removed.
The main finding was that patients who took NSAIDs after surgery had a 35% lower risk of their cancer coming back (disease-free survival) compared to those who took a placebo. However, the analysis did not show a clear benefit for overall survival—meaning it didn't prove the treatment helped people live longer. A deeper look at the data suggested a possible survival benefit when excluding patients on low-dose aspirin, but this result is considered exploratory and needs more research.
This review suggests that NSAID therapy might be a helpful additional treatment for some patients after colorectal cancer surgery, but it is not yet a standard recommendation. The evidence is not strong enough to prove it helps people live longer, and the safety of long-term NSAID use in this setting wasn't fully reported. Patients should discuss these findings with their oncologist, as ongoing trials will provide clearer answers.