Effect of Vitamin D₃ Supplements on Development of Advanced Cancer

Abstract

IMPORTANCEEpidemiologic and trial data suggest that vitamin D supplementation may reduce metastatic cancer and cancer mortality, reflecting shared biological pathways. OBJECTIVE To follow up on the possible reduction in cancer death in the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) with an evaluation of whether vitamin D reduces the incidence of advanced (metastatic or fatal) cancer and an examination possible effect modification by body mass index. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS VITAL is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial of vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol, 2000 IU/d) and marine omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/d). This multicenter clinical trial was conducted in the United States; participants included men

Does the High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in African Americans Contribute to Health Disparities?

“…However, cancer mortality was reduced by 13% (95% CI, 4% to 21%) in the five available trials (1591 deaths). In another secondary analysis, there was a significant reduction in advanced cancers (metastatic or fatal) for those randomized to vitamin D compared with placebo [ 97 ].…”

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“…Authors argued that the reason for this difference could be the decreased bioactivity of vitamin D in overweight or obese people, as well as the fact that using the same dose of vitamin D 3 would result in a greater volumetric dilution and, consequently, a minor variation of active vitamin D levels. Unfortunately, case numbers for mortality due to breast cancer were too small to be interpreted [ 119 ]. This argument was supported by other authors like Grant et al, who defended the importance of designing protocols and analyses including serum 25(OH)D 3 concentrations as the main analysis parameter rather than using the intake dose of vitamin D 3 [ 120 ].…”

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“…Subsequent analysis found evidence for a protective effect; a second analysis of the data suggested decreased cancer mortality in some subgroups of enrolled individuals receiving vitamin D ( 18 , 120 ). Very recently, a further analysis of the VITAL data suggests that vitamin D reduces the risk of metastatic or fatal cancer ( 121 ). Apparently consistent with this idea, a meta-analysis of 10 clinical trials (81362 pooled participants) found vitamin D supplementation was associated with a significantly lower risk of cancer mortality ( 47 ).…”