Loading...
Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) reduces the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in high-risk adults, according to study results released May 13, 2015, and scheduled for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting later in May.
Nearly 400 adults in Australia who had at least two NMSCs in the past 5 years were randomized to receive oral nicotinamide (500 mg) or placebo twice daily for a year. During the study, the average number of new NMSCs was significantly lower with nicotinamide (1.77 vs. 2.42). Significant reductions were observed for both squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. In addition, the number of actinic keratoses, which can turn cancerous, was significantly lower among nicotinamide recipients as early as 3 months after supplementation began. Adverse events did not differ between groups.
The authors conclude that nicotinamide is “widely accessible as an inexpensive over-the-counter vitamin supplement and presents a new chemopreventive opportunity against NMSCs that is readily translatable into clinical practice.”
Martin AJ et al. Oral nicotinamide to reduce actinic cancer: A phase 3 double-blind randomized controlled trial. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Chicago, May 2015. Abstract 9000. (http://abstracts.asco.org/156/AbstView_156_149209.html)
Comment — Dermatology
Agents that prevent skin cancer must be administered over the long term to healthy individuals. Hence, not only efficacy but also a high level of safety should be emphasized. Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, satisfies these characteristics. It is nontoxic, can be administered orally, is inexpensive, and most likely should be readily accessible for individuals at risk for skin cancer. Daily use of nicotinamide could potentially be an excellent method of stemming the rate of nonmelanoma skin cancers in high-risk patients.