ASPIRED-XT: ASPirin Intervention for the REDuction of Colorectal Cancer Risk -EXTension

NCT ID: NCT05056896

Last Updated: 2026-01-16

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 161 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-06-03
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-31

Brief Summary

This research study is studying a drug intervention as a possible chemoprevention strategy for colorectal cancer.

The name of the study intervention involved in this study is:

• Low Dose Aspirin

Detailed Description

This is prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to measure the effects of daily low-dose (81 mg/day) aspirin on tissue, urine, plasma, and stool biomarkers associated with colorectal cancer with a focus on the effect of age. It is a direct extension of an earlier study: ASPIRED trial NCT02394769

Aspirin is part of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family, which are drugs routinely used for their pain-killing (analgesic), fever-reducing (antipyretic), or anti-inflammatory properties. Most NSAIDs are available as over-the-counter formulations. Substantial evidence has conclusively demonstrated that aspirin reduces the risk of colorectal polyps and cancer, yet there remains uncertainty surrounding its mode of action. Aspirin may prevent colorectal cancer through multiple interrelated biological mechanisms including the reduction of chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Aspirin has been shown to directly affect prostaglandins, a class of biologic molecules that play important roles in controlling the normal inflammatory responses within your body. The exact mechanism by which aspirin acts to prevent colorectal cancer is still unknown.This study is looking at the mechanisms of aspirin's anti-cancer effect, which may lead to the discovery of novel specific characteristics (markers) that can be used to select patients for aspirin treatment. the study will also look at the effect age may have on these mechanisms.

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and study treatment and scheduling two clinical research visits immediately before and after intervention with the study drug.

Participants will be randomized into two groups.

• Arm A: Daily Placebo (no aspirin) for the duration of the study.
• Arm B: Daily low dose aspirin (81 mg/day) for the duration of the study.

Participants may be contacted periodically after the study (no more than 1- 2 times annually) for up to 10 years to follow-up on additional information including any continued aspirin use or follow-up colonoscopy results.

It is expected that about 160 people will take part in this research study.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting this research study by providing funding for the research study.

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Low Dose Aspirin

Participants will be randomly assigned to aspirin group and receive a daily low dose aspirin (81 mg) for the duration of the study up to 12 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Aspirin

Intervention Type: DRUG

Capsule taken orally

Placebo

Participants will be randomly assigned to placebo group and receive a daily placebo capsule for the duration of the study up to 12 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Placebo

Intervention Type: OTHER

Capsule taken orally

Interventions

Aspirin

Capsule taken orally

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo

Capsule taken orally

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

acetylsalicylic acid (ASA); Salicylic Acid Acetate

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants must have undergone screening or surveillance colonoscopy with removal of at least one adenoma within the last 9 months.
• Age greater than or equal to 18 years and less than 55 years or greater than or equal to 65 years at the time of enrollment This study will only include adult participants because colorectal carcinogenesis in children is more likely to be related to a cancer predisposition syndrome with distinct biological mechanisms compared with sporadic colorectal cancer in adults.
• ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, see Appendix A).
• Not currently taking aspirin (any dose) within the last 6 months.
• The effects of aspirin on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

• Use of any non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) at any dose at least three times a week during the two months prior to randomization.
• Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, liver or kidney disease, bleeding diathesis.
• Any prior diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer (including esophageal, small intestine, colon, pancreatic), or any diagnosis of other cancers (with the exception of non-melanoma skin) in which there has been any active treatment within the last three years.
• Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.
• History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to aspirin.
• Known diagnosis of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) or Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC, Lynch Syndrome).
• Any adenoma that was not completely removed during previous colonoscopy.
• History of aspirin intolerance, bleeding diathesis, peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleed, endoscopic complications, or contraindication to colonoscopy.
• Inability or unwillingness to abstain from non-protocol use of aspirin or NSAIDs or to provide blood, urine, or stool samples or colon biopsies during the study.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
• Pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant women are excluded from this study because aspirin is an FDA Category D agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with aspirin, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with aspirin.
• Participant must be able to swallow pills.
• Participant is taking any anticoagulant agent (e.g. warfarin) or antiplatelet agent (e.g. clopidogrel).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Andrew T. Chan, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Andrew T Chan, MD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

R01CA243454

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

R01CA257523

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

R35CA253185-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

K01DK120742-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

21-376

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id