In breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI), vitamin D can reduce musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. The VITAL study was published at the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting. The VITAL study was a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial that included 147 women with breast cancer. Vitamin D3 (30000 IU) was added during Letrozole treatment. / Week) May reduce skeletal muscle pain.

The ability of doctors to reduce the pain, fatigue, and other problems associated with treatment can have a major impact on patient compliance. About 50% of breast cancer patients taking AI reported musculoskeletal pain or symptoms, and 18% to 30% reported fatigue. These are all important reasons for women to stop treatment.

This study included 147 patients with stage I-III breast cancer who were treated with letrozole + vitamin D (600 IU/d) + calcium (1200 mg/d). Patients were randomized to receive an additional 30000 IU/week of vitamin D3 or placebo, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D was used to detect VD levels and to investigate symptoms at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks, respectively.

Three patients, all in the placebo group, discontinued treatment early due to musculoskeletal pain. In the vitamin D group, the VD levels at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks were 22, 53, and 57 ng/mL, respectively, and 25, 32, and 31 ng/mL in the placebo group, respectively.

Using a simple descriptive pain intensity scale, the proportion of musculoskeletal events in the vitamin D and placebo groups was 51% and 37%, respectively (p=0.069); instead, quantitative and concise pain surveys were used to determine the skeletal muscle mass in both groups. Pain times were 61% and 38%, respectively (p=0.008) (lower panel). The study also assessed the incidence of adverse quality of life events in the placebo group was significantly higher (72% vs 42%, p < 0.001).