Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
07:25
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Folate and B12 in prostate cancer
1School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. simon.collin@bristol.ac.uk
Advances in Clinical Chemistry
|June 4, 2013
Summary
Elevated vitamin B12 and folate levels may be linked to increased prostate cancer risk, though findings are complex. Further research is needed to understand the causal relationship and implications for public health, especially concerning mandatory fortification.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Mechanisms linking folate and B12 metabolism to cancer, such as hypomethylation and DNA uracil misincorporation, are observed in prostate tumors.
- Epidemiological studies on prostate cancer risk related to folate and B12 intake, blood levels, and gene variants have yielded conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating levels of folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and genetic variants in folate-pathway genes with prostate cancer risk.
- To synthesize existing evidence through meta-analysis to clarify the role of these factors in prostate cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies examining circulating B12, folate, and homocysteine concentrations in relation to prostate cancer risk.
- Meta-analysis of studies investigating the association between common folate-pathway gene polymorphisms (e.g., MTR, SHMT1, MTHFR) and prostate cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Circulating vitamin B12 (OR=1.10) and folate (OR=1.18) were positively associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
- MTR 2756A>G (OR=1.06) and SHMT1 1420C>T (OR=1.11) polymorphisms showed a positive association with prostate cancer risk.
- No significant association was found between homocysteine levels or other tested polymorphisms (including MTHFR 677C>T) and prostate cancer risk.
Conclusions:
- While reverse causality might explain the B12 association, further research is crucial to rule out a causal role, especially given mandatory B12 fortification.
- A potential positive association between circulating folate and prostate cancer risk warrants further investigation due to public health implications of folic acid fortification.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...