An international team of researchers has identified a “hidden vulnerability” in one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, glioblastoma, opening up the possibility of therapeutic interventions that include not only drugs but also carefully controlled dietary strategies.
The study, carried out by researchers from five European countries, including Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, was published in the journal Science Advances. The findings indicate that certain steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly used in medical practice, unexpectedly influence the way tumor cells process vitamin B3 (niacin).
An unexpected metabolic weakness
According to the researchers, steroid administration significantly alters the metabolism of vitamin B3 in glioblastoma cells. This change creates a metabolic vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically. Dr. Saverio Tardito, involved in the project, explained that the team discovered a previously unknown sensitive point in the biology of these tumors. In preclinical models, combining steroid treatment with a diet limiting the intake of methionine, an essential amino acid, slowed tumor growth.
Methionine plays a key role in numerous cellular processes, including the synthesis of some metabolites necessary for tumor proliferation. In the context of steroid-induced changes, reduced methionine availability deprives cancer cells of metabolic resources critical for development.
Why is vitamin B3 relevant?
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is found in many foods, especially those rich in protein. Important sources include meat (liver, chicken, pork, beef), fish (tuna, salmon, anchovy), peanuts, legumes, avocados, mushrooms, brown rice, and fortified cereals.
The discovery does not suggest the complete elimination of these foods, but highlights how the metabolism of vitamin B3 and methionine can be strategically influenced in certain therapeutic contexts. It is essential to emphasize that the results come from preclinical studies, and application to patients requires validation through rigorous clinical studies.
A step forward in a field with limited options
Glioblastoma is recognized as a rapidly evolving brain cancer with a poor prognosis. The need for more effective treatments is urgent. Cancer Research UK representatives emphasized that any discovery capable of slowing the progression of the disease and giving patients more time is a significant advance. What sets this research apart is the integrated approach: it does not propose a revolutionary new drug, but rather reevaluates how existing therapies, such as steroids commonly used to reduce brain inflammation, can be combined with precise nutritional interventions to amplify the therapeutic effect.
The results open a promising direction for the development of personalized strategies, in which diet could become a real adjunct to oncological therapy. However, any dietary changes for brain cancer patients should be made exclusively under medical supervision, given the risks associated with nutritional imbalances.
Foto: shutterstock
date:2026-02-13 14:16:00
Worth a look