In Vitro Anticancer Activities of B6 Vitamers: A Mini-review

Vitamin B-6 compounds, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and their phosphorylated forms, have been investigated with regard to their cancer preventive and therapeutic effects through epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro studies. In particular, in vitro studies in cancer cells have evaluated the effects of several B-6 vitamers such as pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, which is a bioactive form of vitamin B-6. However, the anticancer activity and concentration required to influence cancer cells vary among B-6 vitamers. In this review, the various in vitro effects of vitamin B-6 compounds on cancer cells are presented and discussed.