Some preclinical studies suggest that aspirin or aspirin-derived compounds can make cisplatin more effective in selected cancer models, including models of cisplatin resistance. The evidence summarized here does not establish a benefit for patients, and it is not a reason to start aspirin during chemotherapy.
What the studies found
The headline refers to several different experiments, not one established treatment. They used different cancers, models and compounds, so their results should not be treated as interchangeable.
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| Study | Intervention and model | What it reported |
|---|---|---|
| Zhao, Wang and Hui, 2020 | Ordinary aspirin with cisplatin in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant H460 lung-cancer cells; the article also describes in vivo experiments. In the cell experiments, the methods report 16 μM aspirin and/or 0.3 μg/mL cisplatin for 72 hours. | Reduced survival of resistant cells. The authors concluded that aspirin might inhibit stemness in their lung-cancer resistance model; this is an experimental finding, not a patient outcome. |
| Colon-cancer study, 2020 | Aspirin with cisplatin in cell and animal models. | Reported enhanced cisplatin-associated effects. The authors explored NF-κB binding at the COX-2 promoter, COX-2/PGE₂ signaling, apoptosis markers and other pathways; these are proposed mechanisms in that model, not a settled account of patient response. |
| Asplatin studies, 2014 and 2016 | Asplatin, an engineered platinum(IV) prodrug with aspirin ligated to a platinum compound, studied in tumor-cell research. | The 2016 study reported apoptosis-related changes involving BCL-2, BAX, BAK, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase processing. Asplatin is not ordinary aspirin taken alongside cisplatin. |
| NCX-4040 study, 2008 | NCX-4040, a nitric-oxide-releasing aspirin derivative, tested with cisplatin in ovarian-cancer cell lines and mouse xenografts. | Reported sensitization in experimental models. Its results cannot be attributed to retail aspirin. |
| Ovarian-cancer cell study, 2024 | Aspirin and zeta-crystallin in relation to cisplatin sensitivity in resistant A2780 ovarian-cancer cells. | Examined a model-specific mechanism; it does not establish clinical benefit. |
Why the evidence does not answer the patient question
These are preclinical findings: experiments in cells and animals, rather than evidence that people with cancer live longer, respond better, or can safely reverse cisplatin resistance by taking aspirin. The models and interventions differ, and a result in one cannot establish what will happen in another cancer or in a patient.
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The H460 study’s 16 μM aspirin and 0.3 μg/mL cisplatin exposure for 72 hours describes a laboratory method, not a dose or schedule for people. None of the studies summarized here supplies a clinical comparison demonstrating patient benefit or a basis for recommending aspirin as a cisplatin-resistance treatment.
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What to do if you are receiving cisplatin
Do not start aspirin or change a prescribed medication to try to improve chemotherapy response on the basis of these experiments. Aspirin can have clinically relevant risks and interactions. Ask your oncology team before taking it, including if you already use aspirin or another medicine that may affect bleeding or treatment.
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