University of Calgary Trial Lifts Glioblastoma Survival 28% With High-Dose Vitamin B3
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 22
University of Calgary Trial Lifts Glioblastoma Survival 28% With High-Dose Vitamin B3
1 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 22
Summary
Twenty-four glioblastoma patients in an interim Phase I/II trial showed 82% progression-free survival at six months, beating the study’s benchmark and marking a 28% improvement versus earlier studies.
High-dose controlled-release niacin was added to standard surgery, radiation and chemotherapy after lab work suggested vitamin B3 can revive immune cells that glioblastoma suppresses, helping them attack tumor cells again.
The trial was designed to stop if six-month progression-free survival failed to improve by at least 20%, making the early readout notable for a cancer whose outcomes have changed little in 20 years.
Researchers cautioned that high-dose vitamins can be toxic without medical supervision and said the study will continue to 48 participants, with final analysis expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
With a brain cancer trial nearing completion, what’s the final hurdle before this vitamin therapy can reach more patients?
Can a common vitamin truly halt deadly brain cancer, or do its severe liver toxicity risks make it too dangerous?
If a simple vitamin can treat deadly brain cancer, what other cures might be hiding on our pharmacy shelves?
Promising Phase I Results: Niacin Increases Progression-Free Survival in Glioblastoma via Immune Modulation
Overview
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and deadly brain tumor that is difficult to treat because it resists current therapies and creates a strong immunosuppressive environment. To address this, the University of Calgary led a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial to test if niacin (vitamin B3) could help the immune system fight glioblastoma when added to standard treatments like surgery and chemoradiation. Early results from the trial show that niacin may boost certain immune cells, offering hope for better outcomes and suggesting a new direction for glioblastoma therapy.