title: The relationship between vitamin D and chemotherapy-induced toxicity - a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are anecdotal data that lower levels of vitamin D may be associated with increased levels of toxicity in individuals receiving chemotherapy; we therefore wished to investigate this further.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a cohort of over 11 000 individuals, we included those who had vitamin D levels (serum 1,25(OH)(2)D3) measured before and during chemotherapy. They were analysed for side effects correlating Chemotherapy Toxicity Criteria with vitamin D levels, normalising data for general markers of patient health including C-reactive protein and albumin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 241 (2% of the total cohort) individuals entered the toxicity analysis. We found no overall difference in toxicity effects experienced by patients depending on whether they were vitamin D depleted or had sufficient levels (P=0.78).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests routine vitamin D measurement during treatment does not appear to be necessary in the management of chemotherapy-induced toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC), 95 Harley Street, London W1G 6AF, UK. dkitchen@theloc.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kitchen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rumbles
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stebbing
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rohatgi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D006113:United Kingdom; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014807:Vitamin D; D002097:C-Reactive Protein