CancerPhase 3NCT02804815
Add-Aspirin: A Trial Assessing the Effects of Aspirin on Disease Recurrence and Survival After Primary Therapy in Common Non Metastatic Solid Tumours
A Phase 3 study testing Aspirin 100mg and Aspirin 300mg in people with Cancer and Breast Cancer, run by University College, London at 82 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
Add-Aspirin aims to assess whether regular aspirin use after standard curative therapy can prevent recurrence and improve survival in individuals with non-metastatic common tumours. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Aspirin 100mg and Aspirin 300mg
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 11,000 participants
- Where
- 82 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- Oct 2015to Oct 2026
- Phase
- Phase 3
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
COMMON INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Written informed consent
- WHO performance status 0, 1 or 2
- Participants should not be and have no intention of pregnancy or breast feeding during trial treatment
- Previous or current participants of other primary treatment trials if agreed in advance between trials
- No clinical or radiological evidence of residual or distant disease
BREAST COHORT INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Men or women with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer
- Undergone complete primary invasive tumour excision with clear margins
- Surgical staging of the axilla must have been undertaken by sentinel node biopsy, axillary sampling or dissection
- In those patients with a positive sentinel node biopsy:
- If 1, 2 or 3 nodes are positive, subsequent management of the axilla (with surgery, radiotherapy or no further intervention) should be completed prior to registration
- If 4 or more nodes are involved, patients must have undergone completion axillary node dissection
- Radiotherapy (RT)
- Patients who have undergone breastconserving surgery should have received adjuvant RT
- Patients who have undergone mastectomy should have received RT if they have more than 3 axillary lymph nodes involved
- Patients who have undergone mastectomy and have T3 tumours and/or 1, 2 or 3 involved lymph nodes may (or not) have received radiation per institutional practice
- Final histology must fall within at least one of these 3 groups:
- Node positive
- Node negative with highrisk features 2 or more of:
- ER negative
- HER2 positive
- Grade 3
- Lymphovascular invasion present
- Age <35
- Oncotype Dx score of >25
- In patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients are eligible if they have both a hormone receptor negative/HER2 negative tumour, a HER2 positive tumour or a hormone receptor positive grade 3 tumour and did not achieve a pathological complete response with neoadjuvant systemic therapy
- Known HER2 and ER status
- Timing of entry
- If no adjuvant chemotherapy or RT: registration within 12 wks of definitive surgery achieving clear margins
- Following adjuvant chemotherapy/RT: registration within 8 wks of last therapy.
- Participants may receive endocrine therapy and trastuzumab. All ER positive patients should be planned to undergo at least 5 yrs of adjuvant endocrine therapy.
COLORECTAL COHORT INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Histologically confirmed stage II or III adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum and patients who have undergone resection of liver metastases with clear margins and no residual metastatic disease
- Patients with synchronous tumours if one of the tumours is at least stage II or III
- Serum CEA ideally ≤1.5 x upper limit of normal
- Have undergone curative (R0) resection with clear margins
- Timing of entry:
- If no adjuvant treatment: registration within 12 wks of definitive surgery achieving clear margins
- Following adjuvant treatment: registration within 8 wks of last therapy GASTROOESOPHAGEAL COHORT INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma or squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus, gastrooesophageal junction or stomach
- Have undergone curative (R0) resection with clear margins or primary chemoRT given with curative intent
- Timing of entry:
- Following surgery without adjuvant treatment: registration within 12 wks of the definitive surgery achieving clear margins
- Following primary chemoRT or surgery with adjuvant treatment: registration within 8 wks of last therapy
PROSTATE COHORT INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Men with histologically confirmed node negative nonmetastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate
- Have undergone curative treatment, either:
- Radical prostatectomy
- Radical RT
- Intermediate or high risk according to D'Amico classification Depending on the curative treatment pathway, participant must additionally satisfy the following (a) Prostatectomy patients
- Open, laparoscopic or robotic radical prostatectomy
- Men treated with immediate adjuvant RT
- Men receiving adjuvant hormone therapy planned for a maximum duration of 3 yrs
- Timing of entry:
- If no adjuvant RT: registration within 12 wks of definitive surgery and PSA at ≥6 weeks postsurgery must be <0.1ng/ml
- Following adjuvant RT: registration within 8 wks of delivery of final fraction of RT
- Men treated with salvage RT following a rise in PSA
- Men randomised to RADICALSHD (ISRCTN 40814031) provided all other eligibility criteria are met (b) Radical RT patients
- Men receiving neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant hormone therapy planned for a maximum duration of 3yrs
- Timing of registration within 8wks from completion of RT (c) Salvage RT patients after previous Radical Prostatectomy
- Men treated with salvage RT following a rise in PSA
- Men receiving neoand/ or adjuvant hormone therapy planned for a maximum of 3yrs
COMMON EXCLUSION CRITERIA
- Current or previous regular use of aspirin (at any dose) or current use of another NSAID for any indication.
- A past history of adverse reaction or hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, celecoxib, aspirin or other salicylates or sulphonamides, including asthma, that is exacerbated by use of NSAIDs.
- Current use of anticoagulants.
- Current or longterm use of oral corticosteroids. The treating physician should make the clinical decision whether a patient has been exposed to longterm therapy.
- Active or previous peptic ulceration
- Previous gastrointestinal bleeding except where the cause of the bleeding has been surgically removed.
- Active or previous history of inflammatory bowel disease.
- History of moderate or severe renal impairment, with eGFR<45ml/min/1.73m2.
- Previous invasive or noninvasive malignancy except:
- DCIS where treatment consisted of resection alone. Prostate cancer initially treated with prostatectomy and now being treated with salvage radiotherapy following a rise in PSA.
- Cervical carcinoma in situ where treatment consisted of resection alone.
- Basal cell carcinoma where treatment consisted of resection alone or radiotherapy.
- Superficial bladder carcinoma where treatment consisted of resection alone.
- Other cancers where the patient has been diseasefree for ≥15 years.
- Any other physical condition which is associated with increased risk of aspirinrelated morbidity or, in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the patient unsuitable for the trial, including but not limited to severe asthma, haemophilia and other bleeding diatheses, macular degeneration and patients with a highrisk of mortality from another cause within the trial treatment period.
- Known glucose6phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
- LFTs greater than 1.5x the upper limit of normal unless agreed with TMG.
- Anticipated difficulties in complying with trial treatment or followup schedules.
- <16 years old.
- Participants in other treatment trials where this has not been agreed in advance by both trial teams.
BREAST COHORT EXCLUSION CRITERIA
- Metastatic or bilateral breast cancer.
COLORECTAL COHORT EXCLUSION CRITERIA • Proven (or clinically suspected) metastatic disease (patients who have undergone resection of liver metastases with clear margins and no residual metastatic disease are eligible).
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL COHORT EXCLUSION CRITERIA
- Proven (or clinically suspected) metastatic disease.
PROSTATE COHORT EXCLUSION CRITERIA
- Biopsy proven or radiologically suspected nodal involvement, or distant metastases from prostate cancer.
- Adjuvant hormone therapy planned for >3 years.
Trial locations and contacts
82 sites in 2 countries.
82 sites in 2 countries
United Kingdom70 sites
William Harvey Hospital
Ashford
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Aylesbury
Ysbyty Gwynedd
Bangor
North Devon District Hospital
Barnstaple
Basildon Hospital
Basildon
Bedford Hospital
Bedford
Victoria Hospital
Blackpool
Glan Clwyd Hospital
Bodelwyddan
Pilgrim Hospital
Boston
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Brighton
Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre
Bristol
Fairfield Hospital
Bury
West Suffolk Hospital
Bury St Edmunds
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Canterbury
University Hospital of Wales
Cardiff
Velindre Hospital
Cardiff
Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle
Cheltenham General Hospital
Cheltenham
University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Coventry
Darlington Memorial Hospital
Darlington
Darent Valley Hospital
Dartford
Western General Hospital
Edinburgh
North Middlesex Hospital
Edmonton
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Exeter
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead
The New Victoria Hospital
Glasgow
Inverclyde Royal Hospital,
Greenock
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Northwick Park Hospital
Harrow
Wycombe Hospital
High Wycombe
Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Huntingdon
Raigmore Hospital
Inverness
Ipswich Hospital
Ipswich
Airedale General Hospital
Keighley
Kidderminster General Hospital
Kidderminster
Kingston Hospital
Kingston
Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Lancaster
Lincoln County Hospital
Lincoln
Royal Marsden Hospital
London
St George's Hospital
London
Luton & Dunstable Hospital
Luton
Maidstone Hospital
Maidstone
Christie Hospital
Manchester
North Manchester General Hospital
Manchester
Wythenshawe Hospital,
Manchester
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
Margate
Milton Keynes University Hospital
Milton Keynes
Friarage Hospital
Northallerton
Northampton General Hospital
Northampton
George Eliot Hospital
Nuneaton
Royal Oldham Hospital
Oldham
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Paisley
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Portsmouth
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading
Alexandra Hospital
Redditch
East Surrey Hospital
Redhill
Queen's Hospital
Romford
Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury
Weston Park Hospital
Sheffield
Lister Hospital
Stevenage
Royal Marsden
Sutton
King's Mill Hospital
Sutton in Ashfield
Singleton Hospital
Swansea
Great Western Hospital
Swindon
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Truro
Weston General Hospital
Weston-super-Mare
West Cumberland Hospital
Whitehaven
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Wigan
Worcestershire Royal Hospital
Worcester
Wrexham Maelor Hospital
Wrexham
Ireland12 sites
Bon Secours Hospital
Cork
Cork University Hospital
Cork
Beaumont Hospital
Dublin
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Dublin
Mater Private Hospital
Dublin
St Luke's Hospital
Dublin
St Vincent's Hospital
Dublin
Tallaght University Hospital
Dublin
University College Hospital Galway
Galway
University Hospital Limerick
Limerick
Sligo University Hospital
Sligo
University Hospital Waterford
Waterford
About this study
Official title: A Phase III, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomised Trial Assessing the Effects of Aspirin on Disease Recurrence and Survival After Primary Therapy in Common Non Metastatic Solid Tumours
Add-Aspirin aims to assess whether regular aspirin use after standard curative therapy can prevent recurrence and improve survival in individuals with non-metastatic common tumours. The question will be assessed in four different tumour types (breast, colorectal, gastro-oesophageal and prostate) by means of parallel cohorts within an overarching trial protocol.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned (double-blind) to either aspirin 100mg, aspirin 300mg or a matched placebo, to be taken daily for at least 5 years. Disease recurrence and survival will be assessed, along with adherence, toxicity, and other potential effects of aspirin (eg. cardiovascular).
Read more
There is a large body of evidence indicating that aspirin has anti-cancer effects. Meta-analyses of cardiovascular trials of aspirin have shown short-term effects on cancer mortality and a decrease in risk of metastases, suggesting a role for aspirin in the treatment as well as prevention of cancer. Additionally, large observational studies of individuals taking aspirin after cancer treatment have shown improved disease-specific and overall mortality for specific tumour types.
In the treatment setting, the risks of side effects associated with aspirin are expected to be outweighed by potential benefits. However, this has not yet been assessed in a randomised trial.
As a low cost, generic and widely available drug, which is generally safe, if aspirin is shown to be effective, it could have a huge impact on cancer outcomes globally.
Read the detailed description
A phase III, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial which aims to assess whether regular aspirin use after standard therapy prevents recurrence and prolongs survival in participants with non-metastatic common solid tumours.
The trial has four parallel tumour site-specific cohorts (breast, colorectal, gastro-oesophageal and prostate cancer). An overarching protocol ensures each cohort is as comparable as possible to allow a combined analysis of overall survival as a co-primary outcome measure in addition to individual tumour site-specific analyses of disease recurrence and survival.
Participants who have undergone potentially curative treatment (surgery or other radical treatment), including any standard neo-adjuvant or adjuvant therapy for breast, colorectal, gastro-oesophageal or prostate cancer or have participated in any pre-approved trials and satisfy the eligibility criteria.
Participants will be randomly assigned to 100mg aspirin, 300mg aspirin or matched placebo. All tablets will be enteric-coated to be taken daily for at least five years. Prior to randomisation, all potential participants will take open-label 100mg aspirin daily for a run-in period of approximately 8 weeks to assess tolerability and adherence.
The trial incorporates a feasibility phase during which recruitment feasibility, treatment adherence, safety and use of the run-in period will be assessed.
- Being tested
- Aspirin 100mg, Aspirin 300mg, Placebo 100mg, Placebo 300mg
- Keywords
- Aspirin, prostate, colorectal, breast, gastro-oesophageal, recurrence
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms, Breast Neoplasms, Prostatic Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Recurrence
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aspirin 100mgDrug
Aspirin 100mg
Aspirin 300mgDrug
Aspirin 300mg
Placebo 100mgDrug
Placebo 100mg
Placebo 300mgDrug
Placebo 300mg
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirin 100mg | Active comparator | Aspirin 100mg Receives: Drug: Aspirin 100mg |
| Placebo 100mg | Placebo comparator | 100mg Placebo Receives: Drug: Placebo 100mg |
| Aspirin 300mg | Active comparator | Aspirin 300mg Receives: Drug: Aspirin 300mg |
| Placebo 300mg | Placebo comparator | 300mg Placebo Receives: Drug: Placebo 300mg |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Overall Survival
Overall survival of all cohorts combined
Measured: 10 years follow up
Invasive disease-free survival (IDFS)
IDFS in the breast cancer cohort
Measured: 6 years follow up
Disease-free survival (DFS)
DFS in the colorectal cancer cohort
Measured: 6 years follow up
Overall survival
Overall survival in the gastro-oesophageal cancer cohort
Measured: 5 years follow up
Biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS)
bRFS in the prostate cancer cohort
Measured: 5 years follow up
Secondary outcomes (5)
Adherence
Patient-reported compliance (via diary card) will be assessed during the run-in period
Measured: 5 years follow up
Number of participants with serious haemorrhage (grade 3 or above) as measured by CTCAE V4.0. Data will be collected on case report forms.
Measured: 5 years follow up
Number of participants with treatment-related (active drug and placebo) cardiovascular events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0
Measured: 5 years follow up
Number of participants with second malignancies as assessed by case report form
Measured: 5 years follow up
Number of participants that show a decline in cognition and extent of decline as assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Measured: 5 years follow up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2016 (estimated)
- Study startOct 2015
- Primary completionOct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University College, LondonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 11,000 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University College, London
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ruth Langley, Study director, University College, London
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02804815
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 14/0814
- Other IDs
- 2013-004398-28, 120104
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Feb 2016
- Last updated
- 10 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Macnair A, Gilbert DC, Nankivell M, Joharatnam Hogan N, Hullock K, Radice D, Meade A, Langley RE, Cafferty FH. Healthcare Systems Data (HSD) to Improve the Efficiency of Clinical Trials Within the UK: A Prospectively Planned Comparison of HSD and Trial-Reported Outcomes Within the Add-Aspirin Cancer Clinical Trial. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2026 May;53:104059. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2026.104059. Epub 2026 Jan 27.
PubMed 41844499