Vitamin B3 May Help Fight Deadly Brain Cancer

Topic: Health

Researchers at the University of Calgary are studying whether high doses of vitamin B3 can help fight glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Early results show promising signs that the treatment may improve survival rates.

Edward Waldner was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, at age 55. He underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, but the cancer often returns even after treatment.

Researchers at the University of Calgary are investigating whether high doses of vitamin B3, also known as niacin, can help fight glioblastoma. The study is led by Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, an oncologist, and Wee Yong, a neuroscientist. They designed the study to determine if niacin can restore impaired immune cells and help them destroy tumor cells.

The researchers first tested niacin in mice experiments, which showed that it extended survival rates. They then moved on to a combined Phase I and II clinical trial in people. The goal is to establish the highest safe dose of niacin and see if it improves progression-free survival, or how long patients remain alive without their cancer getting worse.

Early results from 24 patients show promising signs. At six months, 82 percent of participants had not experienced progression of their cancer, which represents a 28 percent increase compared to previous studies.

Why It Matters

This research is important because glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, and finding new treatments can help save lives. If vitamin B3 proves effective, it could be used alongside existing treatments to improve survival rates for patients with this type of cancer.

Key Facts

• Glioblastoma is a type of aggressive brain cancer that often returns even after treatment.
• Researchers at the University of Calgary are studying whether high doses of vitamin B3 can help fight glioblastoma.
• Early results from 24 patients show promising signs that niacin may improve survival rates.
• The study is led by Gloria Roldan Urgoiti and Wee Yong, who designed the trial to determine if niacin can restore impaired immune cells.
• Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, with a five-year survival rate of less than 5 percent.

Key Terms

Niacin

A type of vitamin B3 that is essential for many bodily functions.

Implications

This research is important because glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, and finding new treatments can help save lives. If vitamin B3 proves effective, it could be used alongside existing treatments to improve survival rates for patients with this type of cancer.