Vitamin D's effect on BCC treatmentA Clinical Trial to Determine the Impact of Tumor Size, Histological Subtype, and Vitamin D Status on the Therapeutic Response of Basal Cell Carcinoma to Photodynamic Therapy.
Study explores vitamin D's impact
We conducted a clinical trial to understand how vitamin D might impact skin cancer treatment, specifically targeting basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In our study, 35 patients participated in an innovative approach where they received three sessions of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a special light, after either taking high-dose vitamin D, a placebo, or having no pretreatment at all.
Using advanced 3D photography, we monitored the tumors throughout the treatment. We found that 70% of tumors cleared after PDT, but those that didn't respond often had aggressive histologic subtypes. Interestingly, the effectiveness of vitamin D seemed to relate to the tumor's depth. Among the tumors analyzed, thinner ones showed a 65% chance of responding to vitamin D, while thicker tumors had a much lower response rate of just 28%.
Overall, we discovered that vitamin D may be a beneficial supplement in enhancing the effects of PDT for suitable BCC lesions. These findings suggest a promising potential role for vitamin D in skin cancer therapy, making it an encouraging avenue for future exploration.
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