Folic acid may reduce some childhood cancers

Folic acid fortification of foods may reduce the incidence of the most common type of kidney cancer and a type of brain tumors in children, finds a new study by Kimberly J. Johnson, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, and Amy Linabery, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota.

Incidence reductions were found for Wilms' tumor, a type of kidney cancer, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET), a type of brain cancer.

Since 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has mandated fortification of foods with folic acid because earlier studies show that prenatal consumption of folic acid significantly reduces the incidence of neural tube defects in babies.

"Our study is the largest to date to show that folic acid fortification may also lower the incidence of certain types of childhood cancer in the United States," Johnson says.

The study, published in the current issue of Pediatrics, examined the incidence of childhood cancer pre- and post-mandated folic acid fortification.

"We found that Wilms' tumor rates increased from 1986 to 1997 and decreased thereafter, which is an interesting finding since the downward change in the trend coincides exactly with folic acid fortification," Johnson says.

"PNET rates increased from 1986 to 1993 and decreased thereafter. This change in the trend does not coincide exactly with folic acid fortification, but does coincide nicely with the 1992 recommendation for women of childbearing age to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily."

Folic Acid Other common name(s): folate, folacin, vitamin B9 Scientific/medical name(s): pteroylglutamic acid

Folic acid, or folate, is a B vitamin found in many beans, grains, fortified breakfast cereals, pasta, and green vegetables. It helps the body build and maintain DNA and is important in helping the body make new cells, especially red blood cells.

Low levels of folic acid in the blood have been linked with higher rates of colorectal cancer and some other types of cancer, as well as with certain birth defects. It is not clear whether consuming recommended (or higher) amounts of folic acid - from foods or in supplements - can lower cancer risk in some people. These issues are being studied. High doses of folic acid can interfere with the action of some chemotherapy drugs, such as methotrexate.

How is it promoted for use?

Folic acid, or folate, is a B vitamin. It is promoted mainly as part of a healthy diet to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine (such as underdeveloped brain and spina bifida or "open spine"). Some people believe that it helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease. It may also be promoted for prevention of Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, and chronic fatigue syndrome.