New research in JNCCN suggests a simple and inexpensive option for reducing a major chemotherapy side-effect

Dec. 4, 2023
Study led by University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center finds vitamin D supplements may help reduce chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, with possible implications for also reducing racial disparities.

Research in the November 2023 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggests that patients who have insufficient levels of vitamin D before starting paclitaxel treatment are more likely to experience peripheral neuropathy.

According to an analysis of 1,191 patients with early-stage breast cancer—using data collected in the SWOG S0221 study—20.7% of patients with vitamin D deficiency experienced at least a grade 3 level of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), compared to 14.2% of those with sufficient vitamin D levels.

National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network release on Newswise

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