Popular NAD+-boosting supplements like NMN and nicotinamide riboside may hinder chemotherapy effectiveness in pancreatic cancer, according to a new study from Case Western Reserve University.
Over-the-counter anti-aging supplements, favored by millions of Americans for their potential to boost energy and mitigate chemotherapy side effects, may inadvertently compromise cancer treatments. A recent study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine reveals that certain vitamin B3 derivatives—specifically nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide (NAM)—could enable cancer cells to survive chemotherapy.
These compounds play a crucial role in the production of NAD+, a molecule essential for cellular energy generation and damage repair. The study, published in the journal Cancer Letters, focused on how these supplements interact with treatments for pancreatic cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease with a five-year survival rate of only 13%, according to the American Cancer Society.
While increasing NAD+ levels through dietary supplements may provide health benefits to non-cancerous cells, the study found that pancreatic cancer cells could exploit the additional resources to repair chemotherapy-induced damage and evade cell death. In both laboratory settings and animal models, the supplements were shown to protect cancer cells from three commonly used chemotherapy drugs: oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine. Consequently, tumors were able to survive chemotherapy doses that would typically be lethal.
“Our findings highlight a potentially concerning role for NAD+-boosting supplements in the context of active cancer, especially when used in conjunction with chemotherapy,” said Jordan Winter, the study’s lead author and a professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, as well as co-leader of the developmental therapeutics program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Our discovery is a call to action for the medical community.”
The study indicates that while these B3 derivatives are generally considered safe for healthy individuals seeking overall wellness, the risks become more pronounced for patients undergoing active cancer therapy. “This research is a critical reminder that ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean safe, especially in the complex biology of cancer treatment,” Winter added.
In light of these findings, the research team recommends that oncology professionals routinely screen patients for supplement use. They also advocate for further studies to explore how NAD+ precursors interact with various cancer therapies.
Winter urged patients currently receiving treatment to consult their oncologists before taking any over-the-counter supplements. However, the study’s reliance on laboratory cell cultures and animal models means that the findings may not directly apply to human patients during treatment. Furthermore, the research was limited to pancreatic cancer, suggesting that the effects of these supplements on chemotherapy may differ for other cancer types or drug combinations.
Additionally, the study focused on short-term cellular responses in controlled laboratory conditions rather than human clinical trials, leaving unanswered questions about the long-term effects of these supplements on cancer patients.
Fox News Digital reached out to several NAD+ supplement manufacturers for comment.
According to Fox News, the implications of this research underscore the need for caution regarding the use of dietary supplements during cancer treatment.