Lung Cancer Prevention by Myo-Inositol
Myo-inositol (MI) has been investigated specifically for lung cancer chemoprevention, particularly in smokers at high risk, while D-chiro-inositol (DCI) has not been studied for cancer prevention.
Evidence for Myo-Inositol in Lung Cancer Prevention
Mechanism of Action
- Myo-inositol inhibits the PI3K pathway that is activated in bronchial epithelial cells of smokers with dysplasia, which correlates with regression of bronchial dysplasia 1
- Animal studies demonstrate that myo-inositol inhibits carcinogenesis by 40-50% in both the induction and postinitiation phases 1
- When combined with budesonide, efficacy increases to up to 80% in preclinical models 1
Clinical Investigation Status
- The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines (2013) describe myo-inositol as having low toxicity and promising preclinical and phase 1 data 1
- An ongoing phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled trial is evaluating myo-inositol's chemopreventive effect in smokers with bronchial dysplasia at high risk of lung cancer, including those at risk for second primary lung cancer 1
Target Population
- Smokers at high risk for lung cancer 1
- Patients with bronchial dysplasia 1
- Individuals at risk for second primary lung cancer 1
D-Chiro-Inositol and Cancer Prevention
D-chiro-inositol has NOT been studied or recommended for any type of cancer prevention. The available evidence for DCI focuses exclusively on metabolic conditions:
- DCI is used clinically for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance 2, 3, 4
- DCI acts by improving insulin signaling and downregulating aromatase expression 3
- No cancer prevention studies exist for DCI in the reviewed literature 2, 3, 5, 4, 6
Important Clinical Caveats
- Myo-inositol for lung cancer prevention remains investigational and is not yet recommended for routine clinical use outside of well-designed clinical trials 1
- The evidence base is limited to preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials 1
- Myo-inositol is found naturally in whole grains, seeds, and fruits and is an essential nutrient required by human cells for growth and survival 1