Theoretical involvement of vitamin B6 in tumour initiation

Vitamin B6 is a co-enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of thymidine. Thymidine deficiency has been reported to increase DNA replication errors and hence increase mutagenesis. Carcinogenic stimulae increase the rate of DNA repair, and increase cell multiplication, both of which increase the requirement for thymidine. Vitamin B6 deficiency occurring at the same time as contact with carcinogens could well lead to tumour initiation and subsequent cancer development.