The Journal of Neuro-Oncology recently published the findings of a new study testing high doses of vitamin B3, or niacin, in glioblastoma patients. The research suggests that niacin may help the immune system fight an aggressive brain cancer.
Edward Waldner, also known as Ed, didn’t know why he was feeling unwell. At 55 years old, he felt tired all the time. It didn’t matter how much rest he got or how hard he worked during the day. He noticed that his walk felt different. Sometimes his heels would drag. He even wondered if he had sleep apnea. One day, when he felt worse than usual, he decided to go to the Emergency Department. “The doctor told me I had a mass on my brain and that I needed to see an oncologist,” says Waldner.
The mass was a glioblastoma. This is a very serious type of brain cancer. Treating it usually involves three steps. First, doctors do surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Then patients get radiation and chemotherapy. Even with these treatments, glioblastoma often comes back.
Researchers at the University of Calgary are exploring whether adding high doses of niacin, or vitamin B3, to the treatment plan could improve outcomes for patients. They asked Waldner if he wanted to take part in their study.“I don’t mind trying to help others. I also hope it helps me,” says Waldner. “Being part of this research gives me hope. After my surgery, I was told that’s all they could do. Now, I feel like we are trying something more.”
The study is led by two researchers affiliated with both the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. Dr. Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, an oncologist specializing in brain cancers, and Dr. Wee Yong, a neuroscientist studying the immune system in the brain, designed the study to test whether niacin can help the immune system attack cancer.“In a normal body, the immune system tries to stop tumor growth,” says Dr. Yong, a professor at the Cumming School of Medicine. “But glioblastoma can weaken the immune system. Niacin helps the immune cells get stronger so they can attack and kill cancer cells. I see it as a battle for the brain.”
The research began in Dr. Yong’s lab using mice. The mice that received niacin lived longer than those that didn’t. Encouraged by this, the team started a clinical trial with humans. The clinical trial studies the safe dose of controlled-release niacin that can be combined with standard chemotherapy and radiation. The researchers set a goal: the study would be stopped if it did not show at least a 20% improvement in patients’ progression-free survival after six months. Early results are promising: among 24 patients, 82% had no cancer progression at six months, 28% higher than in older studies.
“Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain cancer in adults. Survival rates haven’t improved much in 20 years,” says Dr. Roldan Urgoiti, a clinical associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine. “We need to explore anything that may help, but it must be done carefully with safety monitoring.”
The researchers warn that high doses of vitamins, including niacin, can be harmful if not taken under medical supervision. They hope to complete the study with 48 participants by the end of 2026 or early 2027. Waldner says he is feeling much better now. He is thrilled to hear the word “stable” during his regular scans.
This study shows that adding niacin to standard treatments could give patients more hope. Even small improvements can be meaningful for patients and their families. Waldner hopes that by joining the study, he can help both himself and others facing this serious disease. He encourages other patients to consider participating in research, as it may bring new treatments and hope for the future.
