Molecular Effects of Aspirin & Metformin on Colonic Epithelium

Bowel cancer, a significant problem in the United Kingdom (UK) with ~ 41,000 diagnoses and ~ 16,000 deaths annually, has a large preventable component (~54%). It is, in part, due to energy imbalance within bowel cells as suggested by associated risk factors: high-fat diet, obesity, physical inactivity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Drugs that decrease bowel cancer risk, like aspirin and metformin, may prevent the disease by mimicking the molecular effects of dietary restriction and exercise.

Energy imbalance, through obesity, expands stem cells which may increase bowel cancer. We have shown that aspirin activates an energy molecule, which increases when we exercise, and blocks signalling associated with obesity in bowel cancer. Indeed aspirin in combination with metformin (commonly used in diabetes) has a greater effect on this pathway than either drug alone.

To predict which patients may benefit from aspirin and metformin, we need to discover if these drugs may mimic healthy lifestyle changes at a cellular level and which cells are being targeted.

This project investigates how aspirin and metformin influence energy molecules in bowel cells to mimic beneficial effects of exercise or dietary restriction. Participants, recruited from Western General Hospital (Edinburgh) colorectal clinics, will have bowel lining and blood samples take initially and then depending on their assigned cohort, after; 24 hours, 7 days, 28 days or a 6-week course of aspirin, metformin or both tablets. Samples will be analysed for energy genes (main outcome). Secondary outcomes will measure effects on quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (qFIT), used to detect blood in the stool, and on gut bacteria.

This critical research will inform how aspirin and metformin can be used in specific populations to decrease bowel cancer risk and to develop new drugs to target abnormal energy pathways.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Colorectal Neoplasms; Colorectal Cancer; Colorectal Adenoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Aspirin tablet; Drug: Metformin; Drug: Aspirin and Metformin

Detailed Description

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is eminently preventable, and yet it is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Both population growth and ageing will influence CRC incidence. There is a significant environmental aetiological component, with around 54% being preventable. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and physical inactivity.Recent data suggests that the rising CRC incidence in young populations is associated with the increase in obesity and T2DM. Hence, there is substantial rationale for developing approaches that define and modify CRC obesity-related risk. Cancer cells have long been observed to reprogramme metabolism to generate substrates for growth. There are multiple molecular mechanisms linking obesity and CRC. Obesity is the commonest cause of insulin resistance and T2DM. Obesity-mediated insulin resistance and inflammation may drive CRC. Obesity increases early CRC precursor lesions of aberrant crypt foci. Bariatric surgery reduces adenomas and decreases CRC risk biomarkers such as proliferation and inflammation markers. High-fat diet (HFD) animal models of obesity and carcinogen-induced CRC show intestinal stem cell expansion. Dietary fatty acids themselves may drive stem cell expansion. Highlighting further complexity, intestinal epithelial insulin receptor deletion attenuates the HFD-induced increase in cholesterol and stem cell messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs).

Calorie restriction, associated with longevity and reduced cancer incidence, may be mediated through downregulation of nutrient-sensing pathways. Agents that clearly decrease CRC incidence, such as aspirin and metformin (may act as calorie restriction mimetics by influencing nutrient-sensing. The host lab have shown that low-dose aspirin reduces CRC incidence in the Scottish population and that high-energy snacks are associated with CRC risk -strengthening the link between energy, diet and cancer. They also demonstrated that aspirin modulates key nutrient-sensing pathways; aspirin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling in CRC cells, mouse intestine and patients. Furthermore, there was a synergistic effect with aspirin and metformin with respect to AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition in CRC cells. The protective effect of aspirin may be greater in higher body-mass index (BMI) patients. Mendelian randomisation studies strengthen causal links between obesity, hyperlipidaemia, pro-inflammatory fatty acids and CRC risk.

This study aims to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of aspirin and metformin with respect to their cancer preventing properties in the colon, thereby identifying potential critical "druggable" targets. The ultimate aim is to predict which patients may benefit from these drugs to prevent CRC.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

All participants who are capable of giving informed consent. All participants aged 16 years or over. All participants must have no known contraindications to rectal biopsy procedures.

All participants must be resident in the United Kingdom. All participants must have no known contraindications to aspirin and metformin.

Exclusion Criteria:

Unable to give informed consent. Under the age of 16 years. Individuals who are taking anti-coagulation medication. Individuals with platelet disease or other bleeding issues. Individuals with a history of a significant rectal bleed. History of diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance. Any contraindication to either aspirin or metformin. Female subjects of child bearing age who are not taking effective contraception during the period of the trial

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

13

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control; No medication, 6 weeks
Active Comparator: Aspirin 24 Hours; 24 Hours Aspirin	Drug: Aspirin tablet; 75mg Aspirin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid
Active Comparator: Aspirin 7 Days; 7 Days Aspirin	Drug: Aspirin tablet; 75mg Aspirin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid
Active Comparator: Aspirin 28 Days; 28 Days Aspirin	Drug: Aspirin tablet; 75mg Aspirin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid
Active Comparator: Aspirin 6 Weeks; 6 Weeks Aspirin	Drug: Aspirin tablet; 75mg Aspirin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid
Active Comparator: Metformin 24 Hours; 24 Hours Metformin	Drug: Metformin; 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: Glucophage
Active Comparator: Metformin 7 Days; 7 Days Metformin	Drug: Metformin; 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: Glucophage
Active Comparator: Metformin 28 Days; 28 Days Metformin	Drug: Metformin; 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: Glucophage
Active Comparator: Metformin 6 Weeks; 6 Weeks Metformin	Drug: Metformin; 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: Glucophage
Active Comparator: Aspirin & Metformin 24 Hours; 24 Hours Aspirin & Metformin	Drug: Aspirin and Metformin; 75mg Aspirin and 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid and Glucophage
Active Comparator: Aspirin & Metformin 7 Days; 7 Days Aspirin & Metformin	Drug: Aspirin and Metformin; 75mg Aspirin and 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid and Glucophage
Active Comparator: Aspirin & Metformin 28 Days; 28 Days Aspirin & Metformin	Drug: Aspirin and Metformin; 75mg Aspirin and 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid and Glucophage
Active Comparator: Aspirin & Metformin 6 Weeks; 6 Weeks Aspirin & Metformin	Drug: Aspirin and Metformin; 75mg Aspirin and 500mg Metformin once per day; Other Names: acetylsalicylic acid and Glucophage

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Aspirin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Aspirin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Aspirin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Aspirin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours combined Aspirin and Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 7 days combined Aspirin and Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 28 days combined Aspirin and Metformin medication
Relative genetic expression change of genes relating to energy, metabolism and stem cell signalling in the large bowel	Effect on genetic expression	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks combined Aspirin and Metformin medication

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Aspirin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Aspirin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Aspirin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Aspirin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in value of qFIT result with aspirin, metformin or combination	Effect of qFIT value	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium in the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Aspirin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Aspirin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Aspirin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Aspirin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 24 hours Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 7 days Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 28 days Aspirin and Metformin medication
Change in the proportions of bacterium the colorectal microbiome after aspirin and/or metformin medication	Effect on microbiome	Baseline and immediately after 6 weeks Aspirin and Metformin medication

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Edinburgh
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Farhat VN Din, FRCSed, University of Edinburgh

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 1, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): December 15, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Intestinal Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Colonic Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms; Adenoma; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Hypoglycemic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Fibrin Modulating Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Sensory System Agents; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Analgesics; Antipyretics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Fibrinolytic Agents; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Aspirin; Metformin
• Other Study ID Numbers: AC21120

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No