The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased incidence of hepatic and extrahepatic cancers, in particular those linked to obesity. In people with chronic liver disease, aspirin may confer protection against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explore t...

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Main Authors: Matthew Anson, Jun Shang Poon, Alex E. Henney, David Riley, Gema H. Ibarbaru, Cyril Sieberhagen, Daniel J. Cuthbertson, Uazman Alam, Theresa Hydes
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03802-4
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author Matthew Anson
Jun Shang Poon
Alex E. Henney
David Riley
Gema H. Ibarbaru
Cyril Sieberhagen
Daniel J. Cuthbertson
Uazman Alam
Theresa Hydes
author_facet Matthew Anson
Jun Shang Poon
Alex E. Henney
David Riley
Gema H. Ibarbaru
Cyril Sieberhagen
Daniel J. Cuthbertson
Uazman Alam
Theresa Hydes
author_sort Matthew Anson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased incidence of hepatic and extrahepatic cancers, in particular those linked to obesity. In people with chronic liver disease, aspirin may confer protection against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explore the potential chemoprotective effect of aspirin/other anti-platelet agents on obesity-related cancers, including HCC in people with NAFLD. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of anonymised electronic medical records using the TriNetX network (Cambridge, MA, USA), a global federated database. We identified adults aged 18 or over with a diagnosis of NAFLD, prior to commencing antiplatelet agents. Two groups were created: antiplatelet (1) versus no antiplatelet use (2). We propensity score matched for nine variables. Antiplatelet use was defined as aspirin, ticagrelor, cangrelor, clopidogrel or prasugrel use for at least 1 year. The outcomes of interest were incidence of HCC and other obesity-related cancers. Follow-up was for 5 years. We performed subgroup analyses on aspirin users only and stratified findings for sex and age. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on individuals with 3- and 5-year aspirin exposure. Results Post matching, there were 42,192 people per group. Antiplatelet use in people with NAFLD was associated with statistically significant reduction in all obesity-related cancers (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.65–0.78, p < 0.001) and individually for HCC (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.40–0.68, p < 0.001), breast carcinoma (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.92, p = 0.003), pancreatic carcinoma (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47–0.78, p < 0.001) and colorectal carcinoma (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56–0.84, p < 0.001). For women, there was a significant reduction in risk of ovarian carcinoma (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57–0.98, p = 0.034). Aspirin monotherapy was similarly associated with reduced incidence of HCC (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.64, p < 0.001) and all obesity-related cancers (HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.56–0.90, p = 0.004), with benefits observed in males (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56–0.90, p = 0.004), females (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.88, p < 0.001) and in older (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.82, p < 0.001) but not younger people (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–1.03, p = 0.589). Conclusions Aspirin/antiplatelet agents may have a role in primary cancer prevention in people living with NAFLD.
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spelling doaj-art-a1f3bd897ec04808ba8c9ecdca158adf2025-08-20T01:56:01ZengBMCBMC Medicine1741-70152024-12-0122111610.1186/s12916-024-03802-4The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort studyMatthew Anson0Jun Shang Poon1Alex E. Henney2David Riley3Gema H. Ibarbaru4Cyril Sieberhagen5Daniel J. Cuthbertson6Uazman Alam7Theresa Hydes8Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolUniversity Hospital Aintree, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolTriNetX LLCUniversity Hospital Aintree, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of LiverpoolAbstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased incidence of hepatic and extrahepatic cancers, in particular those linked to obesity. In people with chronic liver disease, aspirin may confer protection against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explore the potential chemoprotective effect of aspirin/other anti-platelet agents on obesity-related cancers, including HCC in people with NAFLD. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of anonymised electronic medical records using the TriNetX network (Cambridge, MA, USA), a global federated database. We identified adults aged 18 or over with a diagnosis of NAFLD, prior to commencing antiplatelet agents. Two groups were created: antiplatelet (1) versus no antiplatelet use (2). We propensity score matched for nine variables. Antiplatelet use was defined as aspirin, ticagrelor, cangrelor, clopidogrel or prasugrel use for at least 1 year. The outcomes of interest were incidence of HCC and other obesity-related cancers. Follow-up was for 5 years. We performed subgroup analyses on aspirin users only and stratified findings for sex and age. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on individuals with 3- and 5-year aspirin exposure. Results Post matching, there were 42,192 people per group. Antiplatelet use in people with NAFLD was associated with statistically significant reduction in all obesity-related cancers (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.65–0.78, p < 0.001) and individually for HCC (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.40–0.68, p < 0.001), breast carcinoma (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.92, p = 0.003), pancreatic carcinoma (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47–0.78, p < 0.001) and colorectal carcinoma (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56–0.84, p < 0.001). For women, there was a significant reduction in risk of ovarian carcinoma (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57–0.98, p = 0.034). Aspirin monotherapy was similarly associated with reduced incidence of HCC (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.64, p < 0.001) and all obesity-related cancers (HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.56–0.90, p = 0.004), with benefits observed in males (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56–0.90, p = 0.004), females (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.88, p < 0.001) and in older (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.82, p < 0.001) but not younger people (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–1.03, p = 0.589). Conclusions Aspirin/antiplatelet agents may have a role in primary cancer prevention in people living with NAFLD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03802-4Hepatocellular carcinomaNon-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseAspirinAnti-plateletsObesity
spellingShingle Matthew Anson
Jun Shang Poon
Alex E. Henney
David Riley
Gema H. Ibarbaru
Cyril Sieberhagen
Daniel J. Cuthbertson
Uazman Alam
Theresa Hydes
The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
BMC Medicine
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Aspirin
Anti-platelets
Obesity
title The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
title_full The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
title_fullStr The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
title_full_unstemmed The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
title_short The chemoprotective effect of anti-platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a retrospective cohort study
title_sort chemoprotective effect of anti platelet agents on cancer incidence in people with non alcoholic fatty liver disease nafld a retrospective cohort study
topic Hepatocellular carcinoma
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Aspirin
Anti-platelets
Obesity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03802-4
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