One hundred twenty-one patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive conventional therapy, with or without the addition of oral vitamin K2 (45 mg/day). At 12 months, the incidence of portal vein invasion was 2% in the vitamin 1(2 group and 23% in the control group. At 2 years, these percentages were 23% and 47%, respectively. One-year survival was 76% in the vitamin K2 group and 66% in controls. Two-year survival was 66% in the vitamin K2 group and 28% in controls.
Comment: Previous studies have shown that vitamin K2 inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The results of this new study suggest that vitamin K2 can slow the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and increase survival times. Vitamin K2, which is synthesized by intestinal bacteria, differs to a small extent from the vitamin K1 (phytonadione), which is present in food. It is not known whether vitamin K1 would have the same anticancer effect as vitamin K2. The latter has been used in Japan for the past several years as a treatment for osteoporosis, and appears to be safe when administered at a dose of 45 mg/day.
Jancin B. vitamin K cuts hepatocellular Ca mortality. Fam Pract News 2002 (July 15):16.
