Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aspirin on epithelial HPV16-transformed cells and its antitumor effects, in an experimental HPV16-positive tumor model.
Design: The design of the study is experimental (in vitro and in vivo).
Participants/materials, setting, and methods: SiHa and BMK-16/myc cells were treated with aspirin and cell proliferation was determined by MTT; Caspase-Glo 3/7 Assay was used to determine apoptosis. The tumor-bearing mice group was treated with 50 mg/gr/day of aspirin (orally) during 30 days and the antitumor effect was determined.
Results: Here, we provide evidence that aspirin has a negative effect on proliferation and induces apoptosis in the human (SiHa) and murine (BMK-16/myc) HPV16 cells. Furthermore, aspirin showed inhibition of tumor growth, and in mice treated with aspirin prior to implantation of tumor cells, the tumor growth was delayed. Also, the effect of aspirin increased survival in tumor-bearing mice and in mice pre-treated with aspirin.
Limitations: It is necessary to carry out in vitro and in vivo studies of the molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of aspirin on tumor cells.
Conclusion: Aspirin showed antiproliferative effects in tumor cells and inhibited tumor progression and could be effective as a chemopreventive agent. Thus, aspirin deserves further exploration for the treatment of cervical cancer and other neoplasms.
Keywords: Aspirin and tumor cells; Cervical cancer; Human papillomavirus infection.
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