Mayo Clinic has developed a new way to locate cancer using a special form of Vitamin B12. Douglas Collins, M.D., a Mayo Clinic radiologist, working with a biochemist from the University of Minnesota, has found a way to attach a radioactive molecule to Vitamin B12. The radioactive B12, when injected into the human body, shows brightly on conventional gamma imaging scans.

This new testing method may make it easier to locate hard-to-find cancers. It works because cancerous cells absorb great quantities of Vitamin B12, while healthy body tissues only absorb small amounts. Scans detect and show the radioactive molecule attached to the vitamin, allowing physicians to locate areas of radioactive B12 concentration. The areas of concentration indicate the location of cancer.

Mayo Clinic has studied this testing method in a small group of patients who had previously diagnosed cancers, including breast, lung, bone, thyroid, colon prostate and brain cancers. The B12 test was able to correctly locate the cancer in 90 percent of the patients.

No clinical studies are currently in progress associated with this development, but Mayo Clinic plans to continue its research into the use of Vitamin B12 in cancer detection and treatment. In summer 2000, Mayo Clinic will begin animal studies to find ways of treating cancer with B12. Research will investigate ways to attach radioactive compounds known to destroy cancerous cells to Vitamin B12.

More research is needed before this test will be available to the general public. The B12 test is still under development, and Mayo Clinic is not actively recruiting study participants at this time.

Vitamin B12 is an essential building block of life. Any group of fast growing cells, such as a tumor, will use a lot of B12. In fact, research has shown that tumor cells will grow extra B12 receptors to make sure they get the B12 they need.

There is no conclusive evidence that B12 makes cancer worse. People who have concerns about cancer should NOT cut back on Vitamin B12. This can deprive healthy cells of the vitamin and can lead to serious medical problems.

No. Some of the patients had suspected cancers that were later ruled out by surgery or other tests. The B12 test correctly ruled out cancer in these patients. This test may prove to be an effective way to rule out cancer and prevent unnecessary surgeries.

No. We did not study the effectiveness of mammograms. We only looked at the results of the B12 test. Mammogram currently is the best test for detecting breast cancers, and this study should not deter any woman from getting regular mammograms. Women with dense breast tissue may have inconclusive results from a mammogram and will need more follow up. Our results led us to believe that the B12 test may become another breast cancer screening option for these women.

Probably not. There are several ways to effectively diagnose breast cancer, but sometimes these methods cannot find the exact location of the tumor inside the breast, making it hard to remove the cancer surgically. In these cases, the B12 test could be performed to locate the cancer.

There are few effects from using radioactive Vitamin B12. In fact, the radiation from this test is less than that from many other standard imaging tests.

Dr. Collins and University of Minnesota scientist Harry Hogenkamp, Ph.D., have worked together for many years. Their working relationship began when Dr. Collins was a medical student at the University, where Dr. Hogenkamp teaches biochemistry. The two continued to work together after Dr. Collins came to Mayo Clinic. Dr. Hogenkamp manufactures the Vitamin B12 and other elements needed for this test and sends them to Mayo Clinic where Dr. Collins puts them together for his research.