Calgary Researchers Test High-Dose Vitamin B3 Against Glioblastoma
Researchers at the University of Calgary are testing high-dose vitamin B3 combined with standard chemotherapy and radiation as a novel treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant types of brain cancer, vietnam.vn reported.
Glioblastoma creates an immunosuppressive environment that reduces the ability of normal immune cells to recognize and attack tumor cells, according to Cumming School of Medicine researchers. While surgical removal of most tumors combined with radiation and chemotherapy helps slow disease progression, the cancer frequently recurs. To counter the tumor’s suppression of the immune system, the research team is utilizing sustained-release niacin in an ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trial.
Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Results and Patient Outcomes
The early-stage trial currently includes 24 patients receiving high-dose niacin alongside standard care. At the six-month mark, 82% of participating patients showed no signs of cancer progression, according to trial data. Researchers report this figure sits approximately 28% higher than the benchmark established by prior studies.
Despite these encouraging figures, investigators emphasize that niacin is not yet proven to cure glioblastoma. The initial trial evaluated a small patient group without a randomized control group and involved a short follow-up period. High doses of niacin also carry risks of side effects and toxicity, meaning the dosages in the trial required careful regulation and monitoring by medical professionals.
Immune System Restoration and Future Trial Plans
Dr. Wei Yong, a neurologist at the Cumming School of Medicine, previously led laboratory experiments in mice demonstrating that niacin partially helps restore immune cell activity and extends survival. Building on those findings, the current clinical approach focuses on altering the body’s immune environment rather than attempting to destroy every cancer cell directly with new drugs.
Dr. Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, a neuro-oncologist at the Cumming School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the study, noted that glioblastoma carries a very poor prognosis and any positive signs demand rigorous verification through clinical trials. The research team plans to expand the clinical trial to 48 patients, with final analysis scheduled for completion by late 2026 or early 2027.
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