Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
Vitamin D3 Supplementation Modulates C-MYC/VEGF and Improves Chemotherapy Outcomes in Metastatic CRC Patients:
Aya M A Rahman1, Nivin A Hassan1, Marwa S Hamza2
1Cancer Biology Department, (Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology), South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Objective:
Systemic chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine regimens is the cornerstone of management for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and potential molecular mechanisms of adding vitamin D3 supplementation to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in metastatic CRC patients.
Methods:
This study evaluated the clinical effects of vitamin D3 addition to fluoropyrimidine therapy. Serum vitamin D3 levels and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cellular myelocytomatosis (C-Myc) were determined at baseline and after two months of therapy. Clinical endpoints such as overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed.
Results:
Patients supplemented with vitamin D3 had a significant rise in the median vitamin D3 levels after two months (8 (6-14) to 13.5 (8-16.3) ng/mL; Δ +5.5 (3-8); Wilcoxon p<0.001), whereas those in the control group, who did not receive supplementation, experienced a decline in median vitamin D3 levels (11 (8-14.3) to 9 (8-16.3) ng/mL; Δ -2 (-4 to +1); Wilcoxon p=0.01). Supplementation was also associated with greater downregulation of VEGF and C-Myc expression (p<0.05). The overall response rate was higher in the vitamin D3 group of patients (63.3% vs. 25.8%; p<0.01), and median PFS was significantly prolonged (9.1 vs. 6.5 months; p=0.028).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that vitamin D3 enhances fluoropyrimidine efficacy in metastatic CRC patients by modulating angiogenesis and proliferation pathways, supporting its potential as a safe, low-cost adjunct to chemotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Abnormal Proliferation
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Tumor Immunotherapy
