Spanish researchers find anti-inflammatories boost cancer immunotherapy effectiveness

In a significant breakthrough in cancer research, two Spanish scientists, Anais Elewaut and Guillem Estivill, have discovered a potential method to enhance immunotherapy by using anti-inflammatory drugs. Conducted in Austria at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, their experiments involved genetically modified mice that develop tumors similar to those found in humans. The research reveals that these mice, when treated with both immunotherapy and anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, exhibited much longer lifespans compared to those receiving immunotherapy alone. The mechanism behind this enhancement lies in the role of certain anti-inflammatories in inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, which in turn reduces the production of inflammatory molecules like prostaglandin E2. Elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 in tumors have been a barrier to effective immune response, as they help tumors evade the body’s defenses. By using anti-inflammatories, the researchers observed an increase in the activity of white blood cells against cancer cells, thereby promoting a more aggressive attack on the tumors. This finding suggests that combining anti-inflammatory drugs with immunotherapy could represent a promising strategy for treating cancer. Furthermore, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of clinical trials involving immunotherapy and found that patients who had taken anti-inflammatory medications showed a better response to treatment. This insight emphasizes the potential impact of common anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, which many patients already use to mitigate pain. Although the use of these drugs provided short-term benefits in slowing cancer progression, the tumor would ultimately reappear, indicating that a comprehensive approach combining various treatments may be necessary. Biologist Marisol Soengas, president of the Spanish Association for Cancer Research, highlighted the significance of this work, acknowledging both the promise it holds and the cautious perspective needed as further studies emerge. She stressed the importance of waiting for concrete results regarding the combination of anti-inflammatories with mainstream immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors. The findings from Elewaut and Estivill underscore the need for ongoing research and careful examination of how existing medications can be repurposed to enhance cancer treatments.