Recent research funded by FAPESP has unveiled promising findings regarding vitamin D's impact on breast cancer treatment. The study involved 80 women aged 45 and older who were about to commence treatment at the oncology outpatient clinic of the general and teaching hospital ("Hospital das Clínicas") at FMB-UNESP. Participants were divided into two groups: one received a daily dose of 2,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D, while the other was given a placebo.
All participants underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a pre-surgical treatment aimed at reducing tumor size for easier surgical removal.
Significant Improvement in Cancer Response
After six months, results revealed a stark contrast between the two groups. Among those taking vitamin D, 43% experienced a complete disappearance of their cancer post-chemotherapy, compared to only 24% in the placebo group.
"Despite the limited sample size, the differences in chemotherapy response were significant. Furthermore, the dosage used in this study (2,000 IU daily) is considerably lower than the typical dose of 50,000 IU per week recommended for correcting vitamin D deficiency," stated Eduardo Carvalho-Pessoa, president of the São Paulo Regional Brazilian Society of Mastology and co-author of the study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.
The Role of Vitamin D in Health
Vitamin D is primarily known for its role in calcium and phosphorus absorption, essential for bone health. However, emerging evidence suggests its crucial function in enhancing immune responses, aiding the body in combating infections and diseases, including cancer. Previous studies on vitamin D and cancer have often focused on much higher doses than those utilized in this research.
The body synthesizes vitamin D primarily through sunlight exposure and can also be obtained from certain foods. Current guidelines suggest a daily intake of 600 IU for most adults, rising to 800 IU for older individuals, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU for infants. Excessive vitamin D intake can lead to adverse effects, including nausea, weakness, and kidney stones.
Initial Vitamin D Levels and Treatment Outcomes
At the study's outset, most participants exhibited low vitamin D levels, classified as below 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. The Brazilian Society of Rheumatology advocates for maintaining levels between 40 and 70 ng/mL.
"With supplementation, vitamin D levels rose throughout the chemotherapy, suggesting a potential positive impact on recovery," Carvalho-Pessoa remarked to Agência FAPESP. "Vitamin D represents an accessible and cost-effective option compared to other treatments that may not even be covered by the Unified Health System (SUS)," he added.
Encouraging Findings and Future Research
The study's results indicate vitamin D could play a supportive role in cancer treatment. However, researchers emphasize the need for further investigations. Larger studies are essential to validate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and clarify its influence on chemotherapy responses.
"These promising results warrant additional research with a larger participant pool to better understand vitamin D's role in enhancing chemotherapy effectiveness and increasing the chances of breast cancer remission," Carvalho-Pessoa concluded.
