Lower Breslow Thickness Research Articles

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels Are Associated With Breslow Thickness at Presentation and Survival From Melanoma

A cohort study was carried out to test the hypothesis that higher vitamin D levels reduce the risk of relapse from melanoma. A pilot retrospective study of 271 patients with melanoma suggested that vitamin D may protect against recurrence of melanoma. We tested these findings in a survival analysis in a cohort of 872 patients recruited to the Leeds Melanoma Cohort (median follow-up, 4.7 years). In the retrospective study, self-reports of taking vitamin D supplements were nonsignificantly correlated with a reduced risk of melanoma relapse (odds ratio = 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 1.1; P = .09). Nonrelapsers had higher mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels than relapsers (49 v 46 nmol/L; P = .3; not statistically significant). In the cohort (prospective) study, higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels were associated with lower Breslow thickness at diagnosis (P = .002) and were independently protective of relapse and death: the hazard ratio for relapse-free survival (RFS) was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.96; P = .01) for a 20 nmol/L increase in serum level. There was evidence of interaction between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI genotype and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels on RFS. Results from the retrospective study were consistent with a role for vitamin D in melanoma outcome. The cohort study tests this hypothesis, providing evidence that higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels, at diagnosis, are associated with both thinner tumors and better survival from melanoma, independent of Breslow thickness. Patients with melanoma, and those at high risk of melanoma, should seek to ensure vitamin D sufficiency. Additional studies are needed to establish optimal serum levels for patients with melanoma.

Serum vitamin D levels, VDR, and survival from melanoma

9016 Background: Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects, which may moderate the interaction between patients and their tumors. Two studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that higher vitamin D levels reduce the risk of relapse from melanoma. Methods: A pilot retrospective case-control study in 271 melanoma patients suggested that vitamin D may protect against recurrence of melanoma. We then tested these findings in a survival analysis in a cohort of 872 cases recruited to the Leeds Melanoma Cohort (median follow up of 4.7 years). Results: Pilot study Results suggested that taking vitamin D reduced the risk of relapse from melanoma (OR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4, 1.1). Non-relapsers had higher mean 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels than relapsers (49 nmol/L compared with 46, p=0.3). Cohort study Higher 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels were associated with lower Breslow thickness at diagnosis and were independently protective of relapse and death: hazard ratio (HR) for relapse free survival (RFS) 0.76, 95% CI: (0.64, 0.96), for a 20nmol/L increase in serum level. There was evidence of interaction between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI genotype and serum 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels on RFS. Conclusions: The pilot study provided preliminary evidence for a role for vitamin D in outcome from melanoma. The cohort study provided further evidence that higher 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels, at diagnosis, were associated both with thinner tumors and better survival, independent of Breslow thickness, from melanoma. Melanoma patients should avoid vitamin D deficiency. Further studies are needed to establish optimal serum levels for melanoma patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.