Oncology Medical News about vitamin D, letrozole, breast cancer

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Effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, joint pain, and fatigue in women starting adjuvant letrozole treatment for breast cancer
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 08/12/09

Khan QJ et al. - In a study to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D levels in women initiating adjuvant letrozole for breast cancer and to determine whether supplementation with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly could reduce musculoskeletal symptoms and fatigue in women who have suboptimal vitamin D levels, it appears that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent in post-menopausal women initiating adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Vitamin D3 supplementation with 50,000 IU/wk is safe, significantly increases 25OHD levels, and may reduce disability from AI-induced arthralgias.

Methods

60 women about to begin an adjuvant AI were enrolled.
Baseline 25OHD levels were obtained, and women completed symptom questionnaires.
They were then started on letrozole, along with standard dose calcium and vitamin D.
4 wks later, women with baseline 25OHD levels ≤40 ng/ml started additional vitamin D3 supplementation at 50,000 IU/wk for 12 wks.
25OHD levels were re-assessed at 4, 10, and 16 wks; questionnaires were repeated at wks 4 and 16.

Results

At baseline, 63% of women exhibited vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) or insufficiency (20–31 ng/ml).
25OHD levels >40 ng/ml were achieved in all 42 subjects who received 12 wks of supplementation with 50,000 IU vitamin D3 wkly, with no adverse effects.
After 16 wks of letrozole, more women with 25OHD levels >66 ng/ml (median level) reported no disability from joint pain than did women with levels <66 ng/ml (52 vs 19%).

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