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Niacinamide, a B Vitamin, may be of value to women with genetic risk of Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer.
Why are some women more prone to developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer? This is a complex question. Every person and every cancer constitute a unique and complex set of contributing factors.
One factor, related to genetics, is the inability to repair damaged DNA (damaged genetic material inside the cell) effectively. Damaged DNA, like damaged software, will send out incorrect operating instructions to the cells in our body. This can lead to uncontrolled growth and the development of cancerous tumor cells.
For those patients with genetics that lead to inefficient and poor DNA repair who are therefore at high risk for aggressive cancers there is a new class of drugs called “PARP inhibitors” undergoing research and approval. While waiting for PARP inhibitor drugs to finally be approved and available studies have demonstrated that the B vitamin Niacinamide also acts as a PARP inhibitor in doses that yield a pharmacologic effect. Studies used 1.5 grams (1500 mg) three times daily. PARP inhibition allows damaged DNA in the cell to be repaired. Cells with damaged DNA are prone to develop into malignant cancerous cells.*
Women who are positive for the BRCA1 gene are known to have poor DNA repair. These women may benefit from PARP inhibitors. BRCA1 is associated with aggressive and often lethal breast cancer as well as colon cancer.
Recently another gene associated with poor DNA repair has been identified. This gene, RAD51D, is associated with increased risk for ovarian cancer. PARP Inhibitor drugs as well as Niacinamide may also be of value to these women. [click to continue…]
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