Vitamin D3 Adjunct Improves Response and PFS in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

This small clinical-mechanistic study suggests low-cost vitamin D3 supplementation may enhance fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy response and progression-free survival in metastatic colorectal cancer, but the design is too limited to change practice.

📅 Journal publication: Jun 1, 2026 · Last updated: Oct 7, 2026

vitamin D3cholecalciferolfluoropyrimidinemetastatic colorectal cancerVEGFC-Mycchemotherapy adjunctprogression-free survivalclinical study Oncology Pharmacy

Background Information

Vitamin D3 boosts chemotherapy response in metastatic CRC.

This study explores the potential of vitamin D3 to enhance chemotherapy efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), offering a promising adjunctive treatment approach. Vitamin D3 supplementation increased the overall response rate (63.3% vs. 25.8%) and prolonged progression-free survival (9.1 vs. 6.5 months) in metastatic CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy. Adding vitamin D3 to chemotherapy regimens may improve outcomes in metastatic CRC through modulation of angiogenesis and proliferation pathways, but further validation is needed. Vitamin D3 can enhance chemotherapy effectiveness in metastatic CRC by modulating key molecular pathways.

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Authors: Rahman AMA, Hassan NA, Hamza MS, Gaber N, Omran MM, Shouman SA, Khallaf SM

Citation: Rahman AMA, Hassan NA, Hamza MS, et al. Vitamin D3 Supplementation Modulates C-MYC/VEGF and Improves Chemotherapy Outcomes in Metastatic CRC Patients: Integrated Clinical-Mechanistic Evidence. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. 2026;27(6):2279-2285. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2279

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI

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