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Study suggests vitamin d could:
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Research carried out in Brazil indicates that vitamin D supplementation could. Consequently, in the future, strengthen the treatment of breast cancer.
By assessing a group of volunteers diagnosed with the disease. Meanwhile, scientists found that taking this hormone was linked to a higher rate of disappearance of the tumor.
In study suggests vitamin d could addition to contributing to the health of bones. Moreover, the immune system, vitamin D can be linked directly to the receptors of cancer cells and prevent them from spreading, say the experts.
The study authors were encouraged by the results. In addition, think they could change the way this disease is treated in the future.
However, they believe themselves that other studies are necessary, with more patients, to confirm these first results.
This research was carried out at the Botucatu Medicine School of the University of the State of São Paulo (UNESP).
She concerned 80 women over the age of 45 with breast study suggests vitamin d could cancer.
All had to undergo a so -called neoadjuvant treatment, which consists in following chemotherapy sessions for six months. For example, They had to be operated next, so that the tumor was removed.
“There is a group of patients who have large or aggressive breast cancer. Similarly, Before proceeding with surgical removal of the tumor. Furthermore, we must therefore start by administering a certain type of medication, such as chemotherapy in the vein, in order to reduce its size and then carry out the operation in better conditions,” explains the surgeon oncologist Renato Cagnacci Neto, of the reference center on the Center de mammales Cancer Center AC Camargo, in São Paulo.
The specialist. who did not participate in the UNSP study, believes that the rate of women with breast cancer, who need neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy study suggests vitamin d could before surgery), varies from 20 to 40 %, depending on the reality of each country.
At the start of the experience, the volunteers underwent blood tests, for the measure of their vitamin D rate. The patients were then divided into two groups.
The first group received vitamin D supplementation at the rate of 2,000 international units (IU) during the six months of chemotherapy.
The second group has taken a placebo, a substance without therapeutic effect.
After six months. all participants underwent a new blood analysis to verify the evolution of their vitamin D rate during this period.
The reports showed that the first group. which had taken the supplement, had a greater quantity of this hormone in its body.
But study suggests vitamin d could the most important result followed: 43 % of patients who have taken a. vitamin D supplement presented a complete pathological response (when laboratory analyzes of the tissue taken during the operation no longer reveal tumor cells).
Among those who only took only placebo, the rate was 24 %, almost twenty percentage points less.
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Study suggests vitamin d could
A “surprising” result
Mastologist Michelle Omodei. one of the UNSP research authors, underlines “the excellent benefit that the results can bring to the treatment of women with breast cancer”.
“The results are wonderful and surprising,” said the specialist, who has just finished a doctorate at university.
But how can vitamin D act against cancer cells?
“This hormone seems to act on tumor microenvironnement. Malignant cells have a specific receiver where vitamin D is inserted. can regulate the transcription of specific genes”, explains Omodei.
“It is possible that it reduces the inflammation, invasion and proliferation of cancer cells in this tumor environment,” she said.
Brazilian research is one of the first to assess the role of vitamin D as study suggests vitamin d could possible therapy against breast tumors.
Previous research. one of which was carried out in Türkiye, even evaluated this possibility, but they were based on extremely high doses of vitamin D supplementation, which reached up to 50,000 IU per day.
By prescribing only 2. 000 IU per day, the Brazilian study has sought a balance between a therapeutic effect without increasing the risk of toxicity, the authors explain.
“We are very optimistic because vitamin D is an inexpensive medication, which could facilitate access,” says Omodei.
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Reflections. next steps
Although the results have been well received, this does not mean that the vitamin D automatically on the list of therapeutic options against breast cancer.
Nor does it replace other established therapies, such as chemotherapy or surgery.
It is important that patients diagnosed with this tumor follow the recommendations of their doctor. always consult their doctor before including or suppress supplements or medications from their routine.
“Indeed, vitamin D can be potentially toxic if it is taken in large quantities,” warns Cagnacci Neto.
“This supplementation should not be made by the patient alone, without any follow-up,” he said.
The oncologist surgeon underlines that “the use of vitamin D in cancer treatment is still a very controversial subject”.
“In general, the results we have are confused. There are studies that have found a positive role for supplementation, and others that have observed the opposite,” he adds.
Renato Cagnacci Neto also recalls that science is the field of transient truths.
“The data we have to date are not extraordinary. But it happens that evidence is emerging, which go in the opposite direction. This is the case with this UNESP study, which was very well done,” he rejoices.
The authors of the study are also aware that the number of volunteers must be increased during the next tests. so that the results are stronger.
They also realize that the number of volunteers must be increased during the next tests. so that the results are stronger.
They are already planning the next stages of research. which will consist in increasing the number of participants and research centers as part of a series of more robust clinical trials.
“The results are very promising, but we still need more studies,” admits Omodei.
Breast cancer is the second type of most common tumor in Brazil, behind melanoma -free skin cancer.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that the disease affects 73,600 women and causes 18,300 deaths each year in the country.
Study suggests vitamin d could
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