Tracking Nicotinamide Riboside Uptake in Cancer Cells: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Researchers developed a bioluminescent probe (BiNR) to visualize how nicotinamide riboside (NR)—a vitamin B3–derived NAD+ booster—is taken up by cells and tissues in real time. This tool enables noninvasive imaging of NR uptake in living organisms and cell samples without genetic modification, making it suitable for clinical research, including testing on human immune cells (T cells). Using this technology, scientists discovered that NR uptake varies among tissues and that NR supplementation in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) increased both tumor growth and brain metastasis. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how NR interacts with cellular metabolism, especially in cancer, and suggest that while NR offers metabolic benefits for many conditions, its use may need to be personalized or restricted in certain cancer patients.

Journal

Biosensors and Bioelectronics