Can vitamin B2 help cancer cells survive? New study reveals riboflavin may shield tumours from cell death, oncologist explains findings

Nevertheless, this isn’t the primary time {that a} hyperlink potential has been established. A 2025 examine revealed in NCBI additionally famous that water-soluble B nutritional vitamins, primarily obtained by way of dietary consumption of fruits, greens, grains, and dairy merchandise, counsel that extreme consumption of particular B nutritional vitamins may additionally contribute to most cancers development and intrude with remedy because of impaired metabolic and genetic features. A 2016-NCBI examine additionally famous that vitamin B2 metabolism additionally impacts colorectal most cancers danger. “Our potential information don’t help a useful function of vitamin B2 consumption in reducing the incidence of CRC,” it famous.

DISCLAIMER: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.

To know intimately, we reached out to an oncologist.

Dr Jeyhan B. Dhabhar, medical oncologist and most cancers professional, Head Neck Most cancers Institute of India (HNCII), responding as to if individuals needs to be involved about consuming riboflavin-rich meals, asserted, “By no means”.

“This is a crucial level to grasp. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is a mandatory nutrient for regular physique operate, power manufacturing, and cell restore. The examine doesn’t say that consuming eggs, milk, meat, or inexperienced greens causes most cancers. Researchers have discovered that most cancers cells might typically use regular organic processes, together with these linked to vitamin metabolism, to guard themselves from stress and cell death. That could be very totally different from claiming that vitamin B2 is dangerous,” clarified Dr Dhabhar.

Fashionable oncology more and more goals to grasp how most cancers cells survive, adapt, and resist therapy (Picture: Getty Pictures/Thinkstock)

What precisely have scientists found?

The examine focuses on a course of known as ferroptosis, a selected sort of programmed cell dying. “In easy phrases, wholesome cells and most cancers cells face oxidative stress on a regular basis. Researchers found that molecules linked to vitamin B2 metabolism might assist most cancers cells defend themselves towards this stress, enabling them to outlive longer. That is scientifically thrilling as a result of if medical doctors can particularly weaken that protection system, most cancers cells might grow to be extra susceptible to therapy sooner or later,” Dr Dhabhar talked about.

Does this discovery change how most cancers could also be handled in a while?

Doubtlessly, sure. Fashionable oncology more and more goals to grasp how cancer cells survive, adapt, and resist therapy. “As a substitute of solely attacking tumours straight, researchers now search to disrupt the inner ‘survival equipment’ that cancers depend on,” he asserted.

The professional famous that this examine opens a attainable pathway the place future medication may set off ferroptosis and lead most cancers cells to self-destruction. “Nevertheless, this analysis remains to be within the early phases. It should take years of scientific testing earlier than these findings can grow to be accepted remedies for sufferers.”

What to notice?

The general public ought to keep away from overinterpreting headlines about diet and most cancers. “Nutritional vitamins are usually not “good” or “unhealthy” on their very own. The human physique is extraordinarily advanced, and most cancers cells typically misuse regular organic pathways for their very own survival.”

The actual significance of this analysis is in enhancing our understanding of most cancers biology. It supplies scientists with one other clue within the lengthy effort to develop smarter, extra focused most cancers remedies with fewer unintended effects.

DISCLAIMER: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.