Low-Dose Aspirin Use Significantly Improves the Survival of Late-stage NPC: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Sheng-Dean Luo, Wei-Chih Chen, Ching-Nung Wu, Yao-Hsu Yang, Shau-Hsuan Li, Fu-Min Fang, Tai-Lin Huang, Yu-Ming Wang, Tai-Jan Chiu, Shao-Chun Wu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: nasopharyngeal carcinoma; low-dose aspirin; overall survival rate; disease-specific survival rate; 10-year follow-up time
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/6/1551

<i>Background</i>: Aspirin use has been associated with improved survival rates in various cancers. However, it remains unclear if aspirin confers a survival benefit on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study was to assess the associations between aspirin use and survival in different stages of NPC. <i>Methods</i>: This is a 10-year retrospective cohort study of NPC patients. A total of 565 NPC patients were recruited after we performed a 1:4 propensity score match between aspirin users and non–users. Cox regression models with adjusted covariates were employed to evaluate factors that influence the survival rate of NPC patients. <i>Results</i>: The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the overall survival (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and disease-specific survival (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) rates of 180-day aspirin users increased. Increased survival rates were also observed in 180-day aspirin users with Stages III and IV, T, N1 and 2, and N3 categories. Cox regression models indicated that factors, including aspirin use (univariate: HR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.14–0.55, <i>p</i> < 0.001; multivariate: HR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.12–0.46, <i>p</i> < 0.001), were independent prognostic factors for survival. <i>Conclusions</i>: Aspirin use for more than 180 days is associated with an increased survival rate and is a positive independent prognostic factor in NPC.