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Elevated plasma vitamin B12 levels increased risk for cancer
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Patients found to have high levels of plasma vitamin B12 were at increased risk for cancer within the first year after diagnosis, according to results of a population-based, cohort study.
Researchers used medical registry data in northern Denmark to identify 333,667 people with plasma vitamin B12 levels greater than the lower reference limit — defined as ≥200 pmol/L — between 1998 and 2009.
Individuals with prevalent cancer, as well as those who received treatment for plasma vitamin B12 (cobalamin), were excluded.
Follow-up occurred from 1998 to 2010.
Researchers determined 6% of the population had cobalamin levels greater than the upper reference limit, or ≥601 pmol/L.
Patients with cobalamin levels between 601 and 800 pmol/L (standardized incidence ratio [SIR]=3.44; 95% CI, 3.14-3.76) and greater than 800 pmol/L (SIR=6.27; 95% CI, 5.70-6.88) were at increased risk for cancer, particularly during the first year of follow-up.
The cancer risk associated with increased levels of cobalamin was highest for hematologic, smoking- and alcohol-related cancers. The strongest associations were with myeloid malignancies (SIR=105.73; 95% CI, 81.24-135.28), liver cancer (SIR=40.70; 95% CI, 25.50-61.62) and multiple myeloma (SIR=16.08; 95% CI, 7.70-29.58).
“Our study showed that high plasma cobalamin levels increased the risk of subsequently diagnosed cancer, mostly within the first year of follow-up,” the researchers concluded. “However, this association was not present for all cancer types. Although our results may have clinical implications for interrupting high cobalamin levels, further studies are warranted to examine the possible diagnostic value of high plasma cobalamin levels.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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