Aspirin May Reduce Gastric Cancer Risk, but Dose-Response Relationship Remains Unclear

Strategic Insights -

According to a recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, aspirin may play a role in reducing the risk of gastric cancer, but the dose-response relationship between aspirin use and gastric cancer risk remains unclear. The systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed data from cohort studies published between 2014 and 2024, involving over 1.5 million participants. The results showed a significant inverse association between aspirin dose and gastric cancer risk, with a relative risk of 0.73 for the highest versus lowest aspirin dose.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant inverse association between aspirin dose and gastric cancer risk, with a relative risk of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57-0.94) for the highest versus lowest aspirin dose.
  • Dose-response analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship, suggesting that higher doses of aspirin were associated with a greater reduction in gastric cancer risk.
  • Subgroup analyses suggested regional variations in the protective effect of aspirin, with stronger associations observed in Asian populations.
  • The study concluded that aspirin may have a potential role in gastric cancer chemoprevention, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical applications.
  • The researchers highlighted the need for further investigation to clarify the dose-response relationship between aspirin use and gastric cancer risk.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed data from 6 eligible studies involving over 1.5 million participants.
  • The relative risk of gastric cancer for the highest versus lowest aspirin dose was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57-0.94).
  • The dose-response analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between aspirin dose and gastric cancer risk.
  • The subgroup analyses suggested stronger associations between aspirin use and gastric cancer risk in Asian populations.

Sources:

  • Dose-response relationship between aspirin and gastric cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiology, 2025;97:102873.
  • NewsRx. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Reports Findings in Gastric Cancer (Dose-response relationship between aspirin and gastric cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis). Chemicals & Chemistry. July 18, 2025; p 740.