High-dose vitamin B3, known as niacin, has shown early promise against glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers, in a small Canadian trial.

The Phase I/II trial at the University of Calgary enrolled 24 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Results published on June 22 showed 82 per cent remained free of cancer progression at six months.

That beat the trial's own bar for continuing: researchers had set a 20 per cent improvement threshold over historical results. The study combines controlled-release niacin with standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The trial is led by oncologist Gloria Roldan Urgoiti and neuroscientist Wee Yong of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. The university says niacin may help rejuvenate immune cells so they attack tumour cells.

The findings are preliminary. The trial is small and still enrolling, with 48 participants planned and final analysis expected by late 2026 or early 2027.

Experts warn patients not to self-medicate with high-dose niacin, which can cause liver damage and other serious side effects outside a controlled trial.