The Role of Vitamins in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Journal of personalized medicine Vol. 13; no. 10; p. 1520
• Main Authors: See, Jewel Kai Lin, Liu, Xinyao, Canfora, Federica, Moore, Caroline, McCullough, Michael, Yap, Tami, Paolini, Rita, Celentano, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Bias; Cancer; Care and treatment; Data collection; Development and progression; Dietary supplements; Evidence-based medicine; Health aspects; Leukokeratosis; Lichen planus; Medical prognosis; Medical screening; Mouth cancer; Oncology, Experimental; Oral cancer; Oral hygiene; oral potentially malignant disorders; Precision medicine; Risk factors; Systematic Review; Toxicity; trace element; Trace elements; Tumors; Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamin K; vitamins; Australia; United States > US
• ISSN: 2075-4426; 2075-4426
• DOI: 10.3390/jpm13101520

Background: Micronutrients are vital for general and oral health, and their potential anti-cancer properties are documented. We explore beneficial vitamins for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC), assessing the therapeutic impacts of essential vitamin supplementation. Methods: We systematically review evidence on vitamin supplementation’s therapeutic effects for OPMDs and OC. Relevant studies were identified through comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Web of Science until 16 May 2023. All studies underwent risk of bias using criteria modified from the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool. Results: We analysed 80 papers. Vitamin K, studied in vitro, shows promising therapeutic potential. Vitamin C, investigated in vivo (animals and humans), demonstrated mixed animal results and generally positive human trial effects. Vitamin A’s efficacy varied, with positive monotherapy or adjunct effects. Vitamins B and D showed therapeutic benefits. Oral cancer research was extensive, with a focus on oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia among the 11 OPMDs. All bias levels were reported in ‘selective reporting’ and ‘performance’, except for “definitely high” in the ‘selection’, ‘detection’, and ‘attrition/exclusion’ domains. Conclusions: Evidence of vitamin interventions for OPMDs and OC ranges from mixed to promising. Standardizing the study design and outcomes would enhance future research.