Vitamin B7 reveals a new metabolic weak spot in some cancers
Medical Xpress
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking study from the University of Lausanne reveals that depriving tumor cells of vitamin B7 exposes a critical vulnerability in certain cancers. Researchers identified a new mechanism through which cancer cells become reliant on specific nutrients, making them susceptible to targeted therapies when these nutrients are withheld. This discovery highlights a potential Achilles' heel for cancers that were previously thought to bypass such dependencies.
Cells naturally adapt to fluctuations in nutrient availability, but some cancer cells develop an unusual dependency on glutamine, an amino acid crucial for protein and DNA synthesis. While "glutamine addiction" is a well-documented weakness in cancer treatment, many cancers have evolved ways to circumvent this limitation. The study focuses on vitamin B7, also known as biotin, which plays a lesser-known role in cellular metabolism. By understanding how tumor cells rely on specific nutrients like glutamine and the vitamins that regulate their use, scientists may unlock new strategies to combat cancer.
The research underscores the importance of nutrient dependency in cancer biology. Many cancers exhibit vulnerabilities when deprived of essential nutrients, but identifying these dependencies has proven challenging. The findings suggest that targeting vitamin B7 could offer a novel approach to treating certain cancers by exploiting their metabolic weaknesses. This breakthrough not only advances our understanding of cancer metabolism but also opens doors for developing targeted therapies that disrupt nutrient pathways critical to tumor growth.
For readers interested in health and medical advancements, this discovery highlights the potential for personalized cancer treatments based on nutrient dependencies. By targeting specific metabolic vulnerabilities, researchers could develop more effective therapies with fewer side effects. This approach aligns with growing interests in precision medicine and natural compound-based treatments, offering hope for combating treatment-resistant cancers.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/25/2026