A wide range of micronutrients are hypothesized to have cancer preventive properties, and the current popularity of high-dose vitamin supplementation has greatly outpaced available scientific evidence. Prior controlled trials of supplementation have not been convincing, and in several instances have demonstrated adverse effects.

We are conducting in-depth research of several micronutrients including vitamins A, D, and E, and are coordinating multi-center, consortium efforts to address research gaps quickly. For example, NEB investigators examined the associations between vitamin D and several less common cancers, including cancers of the endometrium, kidney, ovary, pancreas, stomach, and esophagus, well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Their findings, published in 2010, found a null effect for most cancers and a possible adverse effect for pancreatic cancer.

We are planning further evaluation of vitamin D status in relation to the risk and survival of more common cancers. Our recent discovery in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of novel genetic variants predictive of serologic vitamin D will be extended to studies of cancer risk. We are also planning biomarker studies of vitamin D and other nutrient supplementation with investigators at the NIH Clinical Center.