Folic acid-cancer concerns rumble on

According to results published in the journal Carcinogenesis​, folic acid may promote the transformation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) into colorectal tumours. ACFs are abnormal clusters in the large intestine that are the earliest precursor of colorectal cancer.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats consuming supplemental folic acid displayed increased tumour development, with the number of tumours relative to the dose of folic acid administered.

“Our data suggest that folic acid supplementation may promote the progression of ACF to colorectal tumours,”​ wrote lead author Gillian Lindzon from the University of Toronto.

Source: Carcinogenesis​

Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1093/carcin/bgp152 "Effect of folic acid supplementation on the progression of colorectal aberrant crypt foci"​

Authors: G.M. Lindzon, A. Medline, K.-J. Sohn, F. Depeint, R. Croxford, Y.-I. Kim