Vitamin D has a variety of effects on the body, including regulating the immune system. To find out whether levels of this vitamin affect the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the researchers analyzed the blood of 200 patients with advanced melanoma before starting immunotherapy and every 12 weeks during treatment.
A favorable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors was observed in 56.0% of patients with normal baseline vitamin D levels, or in 56.0% of patients who achieved normal levels with vitamin D supplementation, compared to 36.2% in patients with low vitamin D levels without supplementation.
According to the study’s lead author, this type of vitamin is not an anti-cancer drug on its own. But normal blood levels are essential for the immune system to function properly, including the response to anti-cancer drugs.
Source: Ferra
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