Modified Vitamin B12 Compound Crosses Brain Barrier in Rat Cancer Study

The Story in Brief

A modified vitamin B12 compound has crossed the blood-brain barrier and accumulated in glioblastoma cells in rats, according to research published in Oncoscience, The Hindu reports. The compound, nitrosylcobalamin or NO-Cbl, carries nitric oxide and targets CD320 receptors that help cells absorb vitamin B12. Tumour cells retained higher nitrate levels than normal cells 24 hours after treatment. Laboratory tests also found that combining NO-Cbl with temozolomide and TRAIL suppressed tumours more effectively than either treatment alone.

The findings are preclinical and do not show that vitamin B12 supplements can treat brain cancer. The researchers describe the work as a pilot translational study. NO-Cbl’s safety and effectiveness in humans must be tested through clinical trials before it can alter treatment. The approach aims to improve drug delivery while limiting damage to healthy tissue.

The Indian Opinion

Claims that this is a new vitamin cure would be wrong, as would dismissing the work because it has not reached patients. The useful advance is the delivery method, not an over-the-counter supplement. Rat results and laboratory combinations often fail during human testing, especially in cancers resistant to treatment. The first hard test is whether clinical trials show longer survival without unacceptable toxicity, not whether the compound reaches a tumour in animals.

Source: thehindu.com

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