Vitamin D Enhances Chemotherapy Effectiveness in Breast Cancer Patients

Recent research from the Botucatu School of Medicine at São Paulo State University (FMB-UNESP) in Brazil indicates that low-dose vitamin D supplementation can significantly improve the response to chemotherapy in women diagnosed with breast cancer. The study suggests that vitamin D could serve as a cost-effective adjunct treatment, potentially improving outcomes where access to certain chemotherapeutic drugs is limited.

The clinical trial involved 80 women over 45 who were about to commence chemotherapy at the hospital’s oncology outpatient clinic. Participants were divided into two groups: one received 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, while the other received a placebo. After six months of treatment, 43% of women taking vitamin D saw their tumors completely disappear, compared to only 24% in the placebo group. All participants underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a pre-surgical treatment aimed at reducing tumor size.

According to Eduardo Carvalho-Pessoa, president of the São Paulo Regional Brazilian Society of Mastology, the study demonstrated a meaningful difference despite its small scale. Notably, the vitamin D dose used (2,000 IU/day) is considerably lower than the 50,000 IU weekly often prescribed to correct deficiency. Most participants had low baseline vitamin D levels, below 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), while healthy levels are recommended to be between 40 and 70 ng/mL.

Vitamin D, primarily known for its role in bone health by facilitating calcium and phosphorus absorption, has gained attention for its immune-modulating properties. Recent studies suggest that healthy vitamin D levels may contribute to a stronger immune response against infections and cancer. The supplementation not only raised blood vitamin D levels during treatment but also appeared to support better recovery, highlighting its potential as an accessible and inexpensive method to enhance chemotherapy outcomes.

Most participants’ low vitamin D levels underscore the importance of adequate intake, which can be achieved through sunlight exposure and diet. The recommended daily intake for most individuals is about 600 IU, with higher doses recommended for the elderly and those deficient. Excessive intake, however, can result in adverse effects such as vomiting, bone pain, weakness, and kidney stones.

The findings open avenues for further research with larger participant groups to better understand how vitamin D influences chemotherapy effectiveness and the likelihood of tumor remission in breast cancer patients. As these results are promising, future studies could establish vitamin D supplementation as a standard supportive therapy to improve cancer treatment responses.

For more details, refer to the study published in Nutrition and Cancer: Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Pathological Complete Response in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.