Aspirin use and prostate tumor angiogenesis

Purpose Aspirin use has been shown to be associated with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Methods We examined associations between regular aspirin use and prostate tumor angiogenesis among 572 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Participants reported aspirin use on biennial questionnaires. Prostatectomy tumor blocks were immunostained for CD34 to assess microvessel size and irregularity. Multivariable linear regression was used to calculate percent differences in biomarker measures comparing use vs nonuse, and by duration and tablets per day. Results Current aspirin users had larger vessel area (14.5%) and diameter (6.5%), and lower vessel irregularity (− 8.1%) compared to non-users, indicating a less angiogenic profile. Duration of use and current tablets per day were also associated with larger vessel diameter. Similar patterns were seen for low- and high-grade prostate cancers. Conclusion Our findings suggest that aspirin use, particularly current use, can lower prostate cancer carcinogenesis through angiogenic mechanisms.