Implications of Aspirin for Melanoma Treatment: A Short Perspective

Several human cancers including melanoma exhibit increased expression of inflammatory cyclooxygenases (COX) enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PGs) implicated in tumor growth. As aspirin has been used in the treatment of various ailments including inflammatory diseases, and cancers due to its anti-inflammatory property via inhibiting COX enzymes its significance particularly in reducing the risk of advanced stage or metastatic melanoma has yielded mixed responses. This mini review addresses some of the discrepancies of implications of aspirin from preclinical and clinical studies, and recent updates into its mechanisms of actions in melanoma treatment.