Aspirin after completion of standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer (ASCOLT): A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Abdullah M AlSawat, Fadi S Alosaimi, Ibrahim A Alamer et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of aspirin on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer patients after standard adjuvant therapy. The analysis included ten studies, revealing no statistically significant improvement in OS (OR 0.92) or DFS (OR 0.90) among aspirin users, indicating that aspirin does not support secondary prevention in this population.
Key findings
- Pooled observational studies showed no significant improvement in OS (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.08).
- Pooled analyses indicated no significant improvement in DFS (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74-1.08).
- RCTs also demonstrated no clear survival benefit, with effect estimates close to unity.
- Safety data were limited and variably reported, hindering conclusions on adverse outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of aspirin in colorectal cancer management is crucial, as it may influence treatment decisions for secondary prevention. The lack of demonstrated benefit suggests that clinicians should be cautious in recommending aspirin for this purpose.