University of Calgary researchers evaluate Vitamin B3 as glioblastoma treatment

Researchers are investigating whether high doses of niacin, a common form of vitamin B3, can help the immune system attack glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer.

A study at the University of Calgary is exploring the use of high-dose vitamin B3 alongside standard treatments for glioblastoma. ScienceDaily and ScienceDa reported that the trial aims to determine if niacin can restore immune cells that the tumor typically impairs, allowing them to better destroy cancer cells.

The research is led by oncologist Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, MD, and neuroscientist Wee Yong, PhD. The investigation moved into human clinical trials after laboratory experiments with mice indicated that niacin treatment could extend survival. The current study is a combined Phase I and Phase II trial designed to evaluate safety, dosage, and potential clinical benefits.

One participant, 55-year-old Edward Waldner, joined the study after surgery for a brain mass. According to the reports, glioblastoma is notoriously difficult to treat because the cells spread into surrounding brain tissue, making complete removal through surgery extremely difficult. Even with standard care involving radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer commonly returns.

Waldner expressed that participating in the research has helped him mentally following his diagnosis. Dr. Yong noted that the tumor usually weakens the very immune cells that should attack the cancer, and this trial specifically tests whether niacin can reverse that impairment.

Background

Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer where standard treatment typically combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Because the cancer cells often spread into healthy surrounding tissue, surgeons are frequently unable to remove the entire tumor, leading to a high rate of recurrence.