PracticeUpdate: Haematology & Oncology

CONFERENCE COVERAGE 18

Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) 2017 19–21 JANUARY 2017 | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Top research at this year’s 2017 GI Cancers Symposiumwith the theme Multidisciplinary Precision Care: Progress and Innovation , showcased targeted therapies as a promising option in difficult-to-treat patient populations with limited treatment options, the potential of immunotherapy and novel applications of existing diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Long-termuse of low-dose aspirin helps prevent colorectal cancer, but raises GI bleeding risk L ong-term use of low-dose aspirin has been shown to help prevent colorectal cancer, but also raises gastrointestinal bleeding risk, report results of a retrospective, population-based cohort evaluation. cancer and gastrointestinal bleeding was assessed in a population of 689,209 persons. A total of 206,243 patients taking low-dose aspirin were compared with 482,966 sex-and age-matched controls in a 1:2 ratio. reduction in colorectal cancer mortality (haz- ard ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.62–0.69).

On the other hand, 11,187 (5.42%) aspirin users developed gastrointestinal bleeding, and 841 died (0.41%). A total of 15,186 nonusers (3.14%) developed gastrointestinal bleeding, and 1682 patients (0.35%) died. Aspirin users showed modest but significant increased risk of gastrointestinal bleed-related mortality (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.14–1.35). Dr Sung concluded that long-term use of low- dose aspirin helps prevent colorectal cancer, but also raises associated gastrointestinal bleed risk. Considerations of prophylactic use of aspirin should balance the benefit and the risk of this treatment to the target population.

Joseph J.Y. Sung, SBS, JP, of the Chinese Uni- versity of Hong Kong, explained that aspirin is commonly used to help prevent cardiovas- cular and cerebrovascular disease, and is well known to protect against colorectal cancer. Aspirin is also known, however, to raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Few large-scale studies have compared the benefit and risk of long-term aspirin use. Dr Sung set out to evaluate the use of low- dose aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer and the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding associated with its use. The incidence and mortality of colorectal

Patients who had been taking aspirin ≤ 6 months were excluded. Aspirin users had been taking a mean dose of 80 mg daily for a mean duration of 7.7 years. All included persons must have had at least 10 years of follow-up on their clinical outcome. Among aspirin users, 5776 (2.80%) were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 2097 (1.02%) died of the malignancy. A total of 16,483 (3.41%) nonusers were diagnosed with colorectal cancer; 7963 (1.65%) died of the disease. Using Cox proportional hazard regression, aspirin use showed a modest but significant

PracticeUpdate Editorial Team

PRACTICEUPDATE HAEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY