Mot Cristian Ion, Horhat Delia Ioana, Balica Nicolae Constantin, Hirtie Bogdan, Varga Norberth-Istvan, Prodan-Barbulescu Catalin, Alexandru Alexandru, Ciurariu Elena, Galis Radu
Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Department I, Discipline of Anatomy and Embriology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Nutrients. 2025 Mar 21;17(7):1100. doi: 10.3390/nu17071100.
Vitamin D is classically associated with calcium and phosphate homeostasis, but recent research has expanded its role to include several new roles such as immune regulation, inflammation, and potential anti-cancer properties. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in over 400 tissues, including those of the head and neck, implying a potential link between vitamin D and head and neck cancers (HNCs). Given the need for newer and better therapeutic approaches, this systematic review aims to synthesize existing clinical evidence on the relationship between vitamin D status and clinical outcomes in HNC patients. : A comprehensive literature search, across multiple databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct, identified 187,642 studies related to vitamin D and cancer, from which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were English-language, full-text original research (2015-2025) on vitamin D's role in HNC progression and treatment, focusing on human studies. The findings indicate that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among HNC patients, with rates ranging from 47% to 95%, particularly in advanced-stage cancers and those undergoing intensive treatment. Inverse association between vitamin D levels and HNC risk was reported, with higher serum 25(OH)D levels linked to a 30-32% reduction in cancer risk. Additionally, higher vitamin D levels correlated with improved survival rates and reduced recurrence, though some findings lacked statistical significance. Deficiencies were associated with higher rates of malnutrition and postoperative complications, reinforcing vitamin D's role in nutritional stability and surgical recovery. : This systematic review highlights how common and significant vitamin D deficiency is among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, exploring its possible role in cancer risk, prognosis, survival, treatment-related side effects, malnutrition, and post-surgical complications. The evidence suggests that while higher vitamin D levels are linked to better survival and fewer treatment-related issues, the benefits seem to level off beyond a certain point, indicating a more complex relationship. Additionally, vitamin D supplementation appears to help reduce chemoradiation side effects like mucositis, skin toxicity, dysphagia, and pain, ultimately improving patients' quality of life during treatment.
维生素D传统上与钙和磷的稳态相关，但最近的研究扩展了其作用，包括免疫调节、炎症和潜在的抗癌特性等几个新作用。维生素D受体（VDR）在400多种组织中表达，包括头颈部组织，这意味着维生素D与头颈部癌症（HNC）之间可能存在联系。鉴于需要更新更好的治疗方法，本系统评价旨在综合现有关于HNC患者维生素D状态与临床结局之间关系的临床证据。：通过对包括PubMed、谷歌学术和科学Direct在内的多个数据库进行全面的文献检索，共识别出187642项与维生素D和癌症相关的研究，其中16项研究符合纳入标准。纳入标准为关于维生素D在HNC进展和治疗中的作用的英文全文原创研究（2015 - 2025年），重点是人体研究。研究结果表明，维生素D缺乏在HNC患者中非常普遍，发生率在47%至95%之间，尤其是在晚期癌症患者和接受强化治疗的患者中。报告了维生素D水平与HNC风险之间的负相关，血清25（OH）D水平较高与癌症风险降低30 - 32%相关。此外，较高的维生素D水平与生存率提高和复发减少相关，尽管一些研究结果缺乏统计学意义。维生素D缺乏与较高的营养不良率和术后并发症相关，这进一步证明了维生素D在营养稳定性和手术恢复中的作用。：本系统评价强调了维生素D缺乏在头颈部癌症（HNC）患者中是多么常见和重要，探讨了其在癌症风险、预后、生存、治疗相关副作用、营养不良和术后并发症中的可能作用。证据表明，虽然较高的维生素D水平与更好的生存和较少的治疗相关问题有关，但超过一定程度后益处似乎趋于平稳，这表明存在更复杂的关系。此外，补充维生素D似乎有助于减少放化疗的副作用，如粘膜炎、皮肤毒性、吞咽困难和疼痛，最终改善患者治疗期间的生活质量。
