The Role of Nicotinamide as Chemo-Preventive Agent in NMSCs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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#animals #humans #niacinamide #niacin #chemoprevention

The Role of Nicotinamide as Chemo-Preventive Agent in NMSCs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tosti et al., 2023 | Nutrients | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tosti Giulio, Pepe Francesca, ... Gandini Sara. The Role of Nicotinamide as Chemo-Preventive Agent in NMSCs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023-Dec-27;16(1). doi:10.3390/nu16010100

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nicotinamide is the active form of vitamin B3 (niacin) obtained through endogenous synthesis, mainly through tryptophan metabolism and dietary supplements, fish, meats, grains, and dairy products. It participates in cellular energy metabolism and modulates multiple cellular survival and death pathways. Nicotinamide has been widely studied as a safe chemopreventive agent that reduces actinic keratosis (AKs) and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). METHODS: We used the Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases to search the concepts "nicotinamide", "chemoprevention", and "skin cancer" up to August 2023. Three independent authors screened titles and abstracts for intervention and study design before searching full texts for eligibility criteria. The primary outcome was the impact of oral nicotinamide on the incidence of NMSC in high-risk patients. We also conducted a systematic search to identify relevant epidemiological studies published evaluating dietary niacin intake and the risk of NMSC. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five studies were reviewed, and four met the inclusion criteria. There was no association between NAM consumption and risk for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (rate ratio (RR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.48-1.37; I2 = 0%), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.50-1.55; I2 = 63%), and NMSC (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61-1.12; I2 = 63%). Adverse events were rare and acceptable, allowing optimal compliance of patients to the treatment. We found only one article evaluating the association between niacin dietary intake and NMSC risk, supporting a potential beneficial role of niacin intake concerning SCC but not BCC or melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis shows, by pooling immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients, that there is insufficient evidence that oral nicotinamide therapy significantly reduces the number of keratinocyte cancers.

Key Findings

Two hundred and twenty-five studies were reviewed, and four met the inclusion criteria. There was no association between NAM consumption and risk for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (rate ratio (RR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.48-1.37; I2 = 0%), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.50-1.55; I2 = 63%), and NMSC (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61-1.12; I2 = 63%). Adverse events were rare and acceptable, allowing optimal compliance of patients to the treatment. We found only one article evaluating the association bet

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Niacinamide
  • Niacin
  • Chemoprevention
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: niacin

Provenance

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