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The effect of various vitamin D supplementation regimens in breast cancer patients

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Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency in the patients treated for breast cancer is associated with numerous adverse effects (bone loss, arthralgia, and falls). The first aim of this study was to assess vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer according to demographic/clinical variables and bone mineral density (BMD). The second aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily low-dose and weekly high-dose vitamin D supplementation on 25-OH vitamin D levels. This retrospective study included 224 women diagnosed with stage 0–III breast cancer who received treatment at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Total 25-OH vitamin D levels (D2 + D3) were determined at baseline for all participants. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-OH vitamin D level < 20 ng/ml, insufficiency as 20–31 ng/ml, and sufficiency as ≥32 ng/ml. BMD was assessed during the period between 3 months before and 6 months following the baseline vitamin D assessment. Based on the participants’ baseline levels, they received either no supplementation, low-dose supplementation (1,000 IU/day), or high-dose supplementation (≥50,000 IU/week), and 25-OH vitamin D was reassessed in the following 8–16 weeks. Approximately 66.5% had deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels at baseline. Deficiency/insufficiency was more common among non-Caucasians, women with later-stage disease, and those who had previously received radiation therapy (P < 0.05). Breast cancer patients with deficient/insufficient 25-OH vitamin D levels had significantly lower lumbar BMD (P = 0.03). Compared to the no-supplementation group, weekly high-dose supplementation significantly increased 25-OH vitamin D levels, while daily low-dose supplementation did not significantly increase levels. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common among women with breast cancer and associated with reduced BMD in the spine. Clinicians should carefully consider vitamin D supplementation regimens when treating vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in breast cancer patients.

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Acknowledgments

The study was grant supported by National Institute of Health 1R25-CA102618-01A1 and 5KL2 RR024136-05.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 704, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Luke J. Peppone, Karen M. Mustian, Michelle C. Janelsins & Gary R. Morrow

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA

    Alissa J. Huston & Yousef Zakharia

  3. Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, USA

    Mary E. Reid & Donald L. Trump

  4. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA

    Randy N. Rosier

  5. Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University, St. Louis, USA

    Jason Q. Purnell

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  1. Luke J. Peppone
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Correspondence to Luke J. Peppone.

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Peppone, L.J., Huston, A.J., Reid, M.E. et al. The effect of various vitamin D supplementation regimens in breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat 127, 171–177 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1415-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1415-4

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