Vitamin D3 and Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
June 1996
in “
Nutrition
”
vitamin D3 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 chemotherapy-induced alopecia Adriamycin Cytoxan Etoposide Taxol topical application hair follicles hypercalcemia vitamin D3 1,25(OH)2D3 chemotherapy-induced hair loss doxorubicin cyclophosphamide etoposide paclitaxel topical treatment hair roots high calcium levels
TLDR Vitamin D3 may prevent hair loss from chemotherapy, but side effects and cancer cell protection are concerns.
The document from 1996 explored the use of vitamin D3's metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), in preventing hair loss caused by chemotherapy drugs like Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Etoposide, and Taxol. Studies using a young rat model showed that pretreatment with vitamin D3, particularly through topical application mixed with alcohol, could protect against chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The protective effect is believed to be due to 1,25(OH)2D3's ability to promote differentiation and reduce DNA synthesis in hair follicles. However, concerns about potential side effects such as hypercalcemia and the risk of also protecting cancer cells were noted. Clinical trials were needed to verify the effectiveness of this treatment in humans.
