Is aspirin use associated with reduced growth of VS? V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A case-control study to investigate the association between aspirin intake and risk of vestibular schwannoma (VS) growth.
IRAS ID
169003
Contact name
Samuel MacKeith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 23 days
Research summary
This study aims to investigate whether or not regular aspirin intake is associated with reduced growth of vestibular schwannomas. Vestibular schwannomas are benign slow growing tumours that arise from the vestibulocochlear nerve (nerve of hearing and balance) as it passes from the brainstem to the inner ear. They are also known as acoustic neuromas. For most patients the symptoms may include asymmetrical hearing loss, tinnitus, balance disturbance, facial numbness or weakness. Many of these tumours do not grow significantly and are merely observed with regular monitoring scans. However for tumours that are growing or causing more serious problems, the treatment options include radiation treatment or surgery, both of which have risks, some of which are serious. There is currently no medical treatment available for use in isolated vestibular schwannomas.
There is evidence that aspirin has anti-tumour effects in certain tumours, although the way in which it works in this setting is not fully understood. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that aspirin may also have a beneficial effect in stopping vestibular schwannoma growth. A successful medical therapy for vestibular schwannomas could benefit patients by reducing the need for radiation treatment or surgery with their associated risks, and hence we feel this research question warrants further investigation.
We plan to contact patients with a known diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma. This will include two groups; those with a tumour that has grown and those with a stable tumour. We will ask both groups about their use of aspirin and compare the results between the two groups. This will answer the question of whether there is a link between aspirin use and reduced vestibular schwannoma growth. If this link is confirmed we plan to conduct a larger scale study to determine how effective aspirin may be in this role.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0195
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion