Multiple myelomaTreatment

Multiple myeloma (MM) is considered incurable1. However, novel therapies are being sought to target a number of mechanisms associated with progression and metastasis of MM1. Vitamin D has a number of ways to combat some of these mechanisms such as its anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastasis actions2.

A study was conducted in Baltimore, Maryland on serum 25(OH)D levels of those diagnosed with MM and the effects of supplementation with vitamin D. While 40% had vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D 30 ng/ml], there were no correlations between serum 25(OH)D level and MM activity3. Beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation were found for reducing muscle weakness, fatigue, and chronic bone pain in 10-20% of the patients.

A study of MM patients in Minnesota found: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased in parallel with International Staging System (ISS): 16% of subjects in Stage I, 20% in Stage II, and 37% in Stage III (P = 0.03) were vitamin D deficient. No differences were detected between the two groups in terms of skeletal morbidity. Association of vitamin D deficiency with higher serum CRP, serum creatinine and ISS stage at time of diagnosis suggests that vitamin D deficiency may portend poorer outcomes in subjects with MM4.

Page last edited: 18 July 2011

References

  1. Mahindra, A. Cirstea, D. Raje, N. Novel therapeutic targets for multiple myeloma. Future oncology. 2010 Mar; 6 (3): 407-18.
  2. Krishnan, A. V. Trump, D. L. Johnson, C. S. Feldman, D. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention and treatment. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2010 Jun; 39 (2): 401-18, table of contents.
  3. Badros, A. Goloubeva, O. Terpos, E. Milliron, T. Baer, M. R. Streeten, E. Prevalence and significance of vitamin D deficiency in multiple myeloma patients. Br J Haematol. 2008 Jul; 142 (3): 492-4.
  4. Ng, A. C. Kumar, S. K. Rajkumar, S. V. Drake, M. T. Impact of vitamin D deficiency on the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Am J Hematol. 2009 Jul; 84 (7): 397-400.