High-dose vitamin B3 (niacin) may enhance immune activity and improve short-term disease control in glioblastoma when added to standard therapy, according to early preclinical studies.
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain cancer that develops from cells in the brain and spinal cord, with median survival of roughly 12 to 18 months.
The trials included 24 patients with glioblastoma. Six months after receiving niacin in addition to standard treatments (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy), 82% of patients showed no disease progression compared to the typical 54%.
Niacin restored function in weakened immune cells, improving their ability to target and destroy tumor cells. The findings, including the 28% improvement in disease progression, were published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology.
"Niacin treatment rejuvenates immune cells so they can do what they are supposed to do: attack and kill the cancer cells," said study author Dr. Wee Yong, PhD.
The researchers urged caution due to the study's small sample size and short follow-up period. Larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.