A recent study in the medical journal Cancer Discovery, published by the American Association for Cancer Research, has found a method to reduce the number of pancreatic cancer cells using a vitamin found abundantly in bananas and meats, such as chicken and fish.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest-to-treat and deadliest forms of cancer. Vitamin B6, commonly found in chicken, bananas, and fish, helps maintain the immune system. As pancreatic cancer develops, cancer cells also consume vitamin B6 for their own reproduction. In the battle for vitamin B6, pancreatic cancer cells almost always outcompete healthy cells.
Chicken and bananas are rich sources of vitamin B6
Scientists at the OU Health, University of Oklahoma, studied a clue about how to reverse this outcome. Dr. Kamiya Mehla, Assistant Professor of Cancer Science at OU Health and a researcher at the Stephenson Cancer Center at OU Health, explained: “This study aims to enhance the immune system against pancreatic cancer. Vitamin B6 supports the cells of the immune system, including natural killer cells, which are the first cells to respond to any pathology, from common colds to cancer. When a patient has pancreatic cancer, the natural killer cells are significantly absent because the cancer cells have consumed the vitamin B6 they need to carry out their duties.”
Pancreatic cancer is a dangerous form of cancer, with only 11% of patients surviving beyond five years. Therefore, researchers need to study and develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers focused on the role of vitamin B6 because it helps boost the immune system. It is hoped that this study will open up new treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Mehla discovered that providing more vitamin B6 did not benefit natural killer cells, as the pancreatic cancer cells further multiplied.
Through their research, scientists discovered a three-step strategy: Step 1 involves reducing the expression of a specific gene to prevent the pathway through which cancer cells absorb vitamin B6. Step 2 involves providing additional vitamin B6, and Step 3 involves using a therapy to enhance the function of natural killer cells, similar to adjusting a car engine.
Applying this method to mice showed a reduction in the number of pancreatic cancer cells.
Dr. Mehla remarked, “It is encouraging to discover this, and it is crucial to have a strong immune system for other effective treatments, such as chemotherapy. The therapy will not be effective if the immune system cannot perform its role.”
She plans to continue and expand this research to other related interests. With pancreatic cancer causing issues throughout the body, as it absorbs more nutrients, she will investigate how vitamin B6 deficiency affects other organs, especially the liver, when cancer cells are present.
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