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Publications

Journal Article Systematic Review Epublish

PubMed: 40004963 DOI: 10.3390/nu17040634

A Systematic Review of Vitamin D Supplementation in Oncology: Chance of Science or Effectiveness?

Nutrients 17(4)

Authors: Marta Lourenço Afonso, Manuel Luís Capelas, Nuno M Pimenta, Teresa Santos, Antti Mäkitie, Susana Ganhão-Arranhado, Carolina Trabulo, David da Silva Dias, Pedro Miguel Neves, Paula Ravasco

Affiliations

  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal. Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal.
  • Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Universidade Europeia, Psychology Department, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal.
  • Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
  • Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
  • Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Atlântica, Instituto Universitário, Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena, 2730-036 Barcarena, Portugal.
  • CINTESIS, Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal. Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, 2830-003 Barreiro, Portugal.
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal. Medical Oncology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde Cova da Beira, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal. Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal.
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Medicine, 2635-631 Rio de Mouro, Portugal.
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health Egas Moniz (CiiEM), 2829-511 Almada, Portugal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D (VD) supplementation has increased considerably in the last decade, whether for the prevention or treatment of numerous diseases, including bone, cardiovascular, endocrine, neurologic, psychological, respiratory, infectious, or oncological. The primary objective of this scoping review was to examine and synthesize the scientific evidence on the role of VD in all-type cancer patients undergoing adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy with chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT), namely in improving side effects.

METHODS

This review was conducted by selecting papers from the CINAHL, Scopus and PubMed databases based on the descriptor terms mesh and title/abstract, taking into consideration the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, following the PRISMA-ScR (PRISMA extension for scoping reviews) statement.

RESULTS

A total of 758 papers were identified in different databases during this review. However, using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only five publications made up the final sample of the study. The studies included heterogeneous study methodologies, objectives, cancer diagnosis, as well as methods to assess body composition, which makes it difficult to compare them. Based on the analyzed studies, associations were found between bone density and VD in patients who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). In patients with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving CT, some of the side effects associated with the treatment were attenuated and reduced. In addition, another of the studies analyzed found that VD deficiency (VDD) has been associated with increased peripheral neuropathy (PN) induced by CT in the treatment of breast cancer. VD supplementation was found to be safe and effective.

CONCLUSIONS

In this scoping review, VD is highlighted as a crucial factor in preventing the side effects of neoadjuvant RT or CT, as well as treating other treatment-related health conditions, such as osteoporosis, as well as ameliorating the side effects (nausea, vomiting, fatigue) associated with aggressive CT and RT.

MeSH

Radiotherapy, Vitamin D, Vitamins, Neoplasms, Food, Neoadjuvant Therapy, Therapeutics