Impact of Cholecalciferol Supplementation on Radiotherapy Outcomes in Advanced Cervical Cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. The case fatality rate of advanced-stage cervical cancer was approximately 50% in 2020 worldwide. A new approach to finding a better treatment outcome for advanced-stage cervical cancer is needed. Research findings showed that cholecalciferol may benefit cancer cell control. This study aimed to understand the impact of cholecalciferol supplementation on advanced-stage cervical cancer treatment by radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS A randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. Eligible consecutive patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either the Treatment or Control group using a simple randomization method. The Treatment group received 10 000 IU of cholecalciferol daily for 7 weeks during radiotherapy and for 12 weeks after treatment, while the Control group received a placebo in addition to the same radiotherapy protocol. Clinical outcomes were assessed 3 months after treatment completion. RESULTS We recruited 123 subjects in this study. The complete response rate was 82.61% in the Treatment group and 64.8% in the Control group. The Treatment group had a higher average serum cholecalciferol level after completion of the protocol. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with 10 000 IU of cholecalciferol among advanced-stage cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment resulted in improved therapeutic response and maintaining serum cholecalciferol levels, which may further benefit cancer-free survival.

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