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


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09