Vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies
Vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies
Larsson et al., 2010 | JAMA | Meta Analysis
Citation
Larsson Susanna C, Orsini Nicola, Wolk Alicja. Vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA. 2010-Mar-17;303(11):1077-83. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.263
Abstract
CONTEXT: Mounting evidence indicates that vitamin B(6), a coenzyme involved in nearly 100 enzymatic reactions, may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective studies assessing the association of vitamin B(6) intake or blood levels of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP; the active form of vitamin B(6)) with risk of colorectal cancer. DATA SOURCES: Relevant studies were identified by a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to February 2010, with no restrictions. We also reviewed reference lists from retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: We included prospective studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between vitamin B(6) intake or blood PLP levels and the risk of colorectal, colon, or rectal cancer. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Study-specific RRs were pooled using a random-effects model. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nine studies on vitamin B(6) intake and 4 studies on blood PLP levels were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled RRs of colorectal cancer for the highest vs lowest category of vitamin B(6) intake and blood PLP levels were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.75-1.07) and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.38-0.71), respectively. There was heterogeneity among studies of vitamin B(6) intake (P = .01) but not among studies of blood PLP levels (P = .95). Omitting 1 study that contributed substantially to the heterogeneity among studies of vitamin B(6) intake yielded a pooled RR of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.69-0.92). The risk of colorectal cancer decreased by 49% for every 100-pmol/mL increase (approximately 2 SDs) in blood PLP levels (RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.69). CONCLUSION: Vitamin B(6) intake and blood PLP levels were inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in this meta-analysis.
Key Findings
Vitamin B(6) intake and blood PLP levels were inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in this meta-analysis.
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | 4 |
| Age Range | See abstract |
| Condition | See abstract |
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Case-Control Studies
- Cohort Studies
- Colorectal Neoplasms
- Diet
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nutritional Status
- Pyridoxal Phosphate
- Risk
- Vitamin B 6
Evidence Classification
- Level: Meta Analysis
- Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
- Vertical: vitamin-b6
Provenance
- PMID: 20233826
- DOI: 10.1001/jama.2010.263
- PMCID: Not in PMC
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09