Key points from article :
A study from the University of Missouri has uncovered a potential link between nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3, and the progression of certain cancers. Using innovative bioluminescent imaging technology in animal models, researchers found that NR, often used for its cardiovascular and neurological benefits, might also increase cancer spread, particularly to the brain. These findings raise concerns about the widespread use of NR supplements.
Led by Elena Goun, the research focused on how cancer cells, especially in triple-negative breast cancer, rapidly absorb NR. By using a novel imaging probe, scientists could visualize NR levels in real-time, showing that high NR uptake may fuel cancer growth and metastasis. Goun's personal experience, having lost her father to cancer, drove her to investigate the link between cancer metabolism and supplements like NR.
While the study's findings are preliminary and based on animal models, they highlight the importance of studying supplements' effects before use, especially in individuals with cancer. The results suggest the need for more personalized approaches in cancer treatment and call for caution in NR's commercial use, as it is currently involved in several human clinical trials.
