Expression of vitamin D receptor and vitamin D status in patients with oral neoplasms and effect of vitamin D supplementation on quality of life in advanced cancer treatment

• Published in: Contemporary oncology (Poznan, Poland) Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 145 - 151
• Main Authors: Anand, Akshay, Singh, Suyash, Sonkar, Abhinav A, Husain, Nuzhat, Singh, Kul Ranjan, Singh, Sudhir, Kushwaha, Jitendra K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Termedia Publishing House 01.01.2017
• Subjects: calcidiol levels; calcitriol receptor; Oral cancer; oral neoplasms; Original Paper; Quality of life; Vitamin D; calcitriol receptor; quality of life; calcidiol levels; oral neoplasms
• ISSN: 1428-2526; 1897-4309
• DOI: 10.5114/wo.2017.68623

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression and serum vitamin D scores in oral premalignant lesions and oral cancer have not been widely analyzed. The role of vitamin D supplementation in advanced oral cancer for improving quality of life (QOL) is also a matter of research. Vitamin D receptor expression and vitamin D scores were analyzed in normal oral mucosa ( = 95), leukoplakia ( = 23) and oral cancer ( = 87). 45 patients with advanced oral cancer subjected to chemoradiation were evaluated for the effect of vitamin D supplementation on most observable QOL parameters such as oral mucositis, swallowing performance and overall QOL. Vitamin D receptor expression was increased in oral neoplastic lesions. Vitamin D scores were significantly lower in cases compared to healthy controls ( = 0.002). Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the therapy-related toxicities in advanced cancer, thus reducing morbidity and improving QOL. Vitamin D receptor expression is increased in premalignant lesions and oral cancer. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are prevalent in patients with oral neoplastic lesions. Vitamin D supplementation has a role in reducing treatment-related toxicities, especially in advanced cancer.