Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University are looking at the idea that vitamin D may stop the progression of, or possibly destroy, prostate cancer. An earlier study from the UPMC Health System shows it significantly inhibits the growth of prostate cancer in animals.
The newest study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and will be conducted by oncologists Tomasz Beer and David Henner. It involves giving patients with recurring cancer high doses of an active form of the vitamin each week and monitoring their disease level.
Beer says high levels of vitamin D inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in the lab and earlier studies in humans find taking high levels is safe. He says they now want to know if regular doses can keep the disease under control over the long term.
The study is looking specifically at patients who received initial treatment for their cancer, but had the disease return, which normally would mean hormone treatments or aggressive chemotherapy. It is hoped using vitamin D can delay such drastic treatment and its side effects.
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