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Vitamins and Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiologic and Clinical Evidence
Laura El Halabi1, Anthony AlBayeh1, Alexandre Khoury1
1The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, Department of Internal Medicine.
Kansas Journal of Medicine
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Vitamins have complex roles in cancer, with some showing anticancer effects while others pose risks. Routine supplementation is not advised; focus on correcting deficiencies for personalized cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Vitamin supplementation is common in cancer patients, but their effects are complex and varied.
- Vitamins can influence cancer through immune activation, ferroptosis, and even tumor promotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B-complex in cancer prevention, treatment, and toxicity.
- To map the scientific landscape of vitamins in oncology, highlighting both benefits and risks.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR criteria.
- Synthesized mechanistic studies, epidemiological cohorts, randomized trials, and therapeutic investigations.
- Focused on studies examining cancer risk, progression, treatment interactions, and toxicity.
Main Results:
- Specific vitamins show anticancer mechanisms (e.g., Vitamin K2, Vitamin C, Niacin, Vitamin D).
- Potential harms identified: beta-carotene and lung cancer risk, Vitamin E and prostate cancer risk, antioxidants and chemotherapy interference.
- U-shaped dose-response curves are common; both deficiency and excess can increase risk.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin benefits in cancer are highly context-dependent.
- Routine supplementation is not supported; correcting deficiencies is crucial.
- Individualized treatment decisions and further trials are needed to clarify vitamin roles in cancer care.
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