Scientists from the University of Minnesota have made an exciting discovery that could improve cancer treatment, especially for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
They found that natural killer (NK) cells, a type of immune cell in our bodies that fights disease, become stronger and more effective at targeting cancer cells when treated with vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide.
Natural killer cells are a powerful part of our immune system. They’re known for hunting down and attacking harmful cells, including cancer cells. However, previous attempts to use NK cells to treat blood cancers showed limited success.
Many patients, particularly those with advanced blood cancers that hadn’t responded to other treatments, didn’t benefit from these therapies. This study suggests that adding vitamin B3 might be the key to making NK cells more effective.
So, what makes vitamin B3 special in this context? Vitamin B3, a common nutrient, is known for converting food into energy. But researchers found it also seems to supercharge NK cells.
In their lab, the scientists treated NK cells with vitamin B3, which not only made them more powerful at spotting and attacking cancer cells but also helped them survive longer in the body. When these enhanced NK cells were combined with a cancer drug, the results were promising.
In a small group of 30 patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers, including a specific type of lymphoma, 11 patients experienced a complete recovery, and three showed partial improvement within just 28 days of treatment.
These results hint at the potential of vitamin B3 to make NK cell therapy more effective and accessible for people with these challenging cancers.
Vitamin B3 has a long history of health benefits. In 1937, scientists discovered that a deficiency of this vitamin could lead to a disease called pellagra, which caused symptoms like memory loss, digestive problems, and skin rashes.
By simply adding vitamin B3 to people’s diets, they were able to prevent this condition. In the case of NK cells, vitamin B3 not only boosts their energy but also protects them from damage, helping them stay active longer to fight off cancer cells more effectively.
The researchers are optimistic that this approach could lead to a new, more powerful treatment option for blood cancers. They plan to continue testing this method in larger clinical trials to see if it can deliver the same positive results for more patients.
If successful, this vitamin B3-enhanced NK cell therapy could become a new option in the fight against cancers that are resistant to traditional treatments.
For those interested in the role of nutrition in health, studies also suggest that taking vitamins at the right time might prevent heart disease, while vitamin D supplements may help reduce cancer mortality.
Additionally, research highlights certain plant nutrients that could reduce high blood pressure and antioxidants that may lower dementia risk.
This groundbreaking study on vitamin B3 and NK cells was published in Science Translational Medicine, bringing new hope for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about supplement that may increase cancer risk, and can vitamin D help prevent or treat cancer?
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing berry that can prevent cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
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