Exploring aspirin as an ovarian cancer preventative for women with BRCA 1/2 mutations

STICs and STONEs is a randomised, Phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aspirin in the prevention of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

Prof Phillips, Principal Investigator of STICs and STONEs, discusses what the study is aiming to achieve and its importance for women with a known genetic marker in their family.

“We know that aspirin can be a useful medication to reduce the risk of some cancers. Some early data suggests that this might be true for ovarian cancer.

We are trying to prove whether aspirin can in fact reduce ovarian cancer risk in women who are at high risk of the disease because they have inherited an abnormality in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that predisposes them to breast and ovarian cancer. If we do, aspirin will be another tool in our kit to help these women prevent cancer.

Currently, we recommend that the tubes and ovaries are surgically removed between about age 35-40 for those with an abnormal BRCA1 gene and by about 45 for BRCA2. Aspirin will not replace surgery, but could be helpful, especially for women with BRCA1 mutations who need to delay surgery to complete childbearing.”  

Prof Kelly-Anne Phillips, Principal Investigator of STICs and STONEs

STICs and STONEs is investigating whether taking aspirin will help prevent ovarian cancer in women with a high-risk gene mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, who are scheduled to undergo standard risk-reducing surgery.

STICs and STONEs is led internationally by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) and ANZGOG in collaboration with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney is the lead group for Australia. The study is currently recruiting from these participating sites:

• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VIC) / The Royal Women’s Hospital (VIC) / Royal Melbourne Hospital (VIC)
• Prince of Wales Hospital (NSW) / Royal Hospital for Women (NSW),
• Westmead Hospital (NSW)
• St John of God Hospital, Subiaco (WA)
• King Edward Memorial (WA)
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (NSW)

Want to get involved?

If you would like to take part in the STICs and STONEs study, please speak with your Medical Oncologist or treatment team about participating in the trial.

For further information please visit ANZCTR.

Want to know more about ANZGOG’s clinical trials?

To find out more about ANZGOG’s clinical trials, click here.