The Thiamin Status of Early Cancer Patients with Particular Reference to Those with Breast and Bronchial Carcinomas

Abstract

The thiamin status of early bronchial and breast carcinomas was assessed using the thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) stimulating effect of transketolase activity. The TPP stimulating effect was greater in a high proportion of the cancer patients than in normal subjects, suggesting that these patients may be at risk of thiamin deficiency. The urinary excretory level of thiamin was high in cancer patients. It is unlikely that the biochemical deficiency of the vitamin was due to lack of vitamin intake. The cancer patients were probably unable to convert thiamin to thiamin pyrophosphate, the active form of the vitamin.