Role of Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer—Immune Function, Anti-Tumour Effect, and Its Impact on Patient Prognosis

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous cancer with substantial morbidity and mortality, with limited overall survival despite modern surgical and combined oncological treatment. This review examines how vitamin D influences initiation, development, and progression of HNSCC, highlighting effects on cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, immunity, and metabolism. Evidence is synthesized from basic, clinical, and epidemiological studies, emphasizing anti-cancer intracellular mechanisms, immune function, and tumor invasion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Review Purpose and Scope

Mechanisms of Vitamin D in HNSCC

Immune and cellular effects

Metastasis and tumor invasion

nutrients Review Role of Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer—Immune Function, Anti-Tumour Effect, and Its Impact on Patient Prognosis Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska 1,2,3 Citation: Starska-Kowarska, K. Role of Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer—Immune Function, Anti-Tumour Effect, and Its Impact on Patient Prognosis. Nutrients 2023, 15, 2592. [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)nu15112592 Academic Editors: Dariusz Nowak, Melissa Melough and Boleslaw T. Karwowski Received: 12 April 2023 Revised: 13 May 2023 Accepted: 29 May 2023 Published: 31 May 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 DZeeparligosenkiog P7h/y9s,io90l-o7g5y2, PathLodzo, pPyslaoldo;gykatand CarzyninsticaarIkunomedlogylod,zMepl;diTcaell: i-v6ers04-ity54-f4Lo12dz, 2 Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Z˙ eligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland 3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Lodz, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland Abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) describes a heterogeneous group of human neoplasms of the head and neck with high rates of morbidity and mortality, constituting about 3% of all cancers and ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. HNSCC constituted the seventh most prevalent human malignancy and the most common human cancer in the world in 2020, according to multipopulation observations conducted by the GLOBOCAN group. Since approximately 60–70% of patients present with stage III/IV neoplastic disease, HNSCC is still one of the leading causes of death in cancer patients worldwide, with an overall survival rate that is too low, not exceeding 40–60% of these patients. Despite the application of newer surgical techniques and the implementation of modern combined oncological treatment, the disease often follows a fatal course due to frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences. The role of micronutrients in the initiation, development, and progression of HNSCC has been the subject of considerable research. Of particular interest has been vitamin D, the pleiotropic biologically active fat-soluble family of secosteroids (vitaminD-like steroids), which constitutes a key regulator of bone, calcium, and phosphate homeostasis, as well as carcinogenesis and the further development of various neoplasms. Considerable evidence suggests that vitamin D plays a key role in cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, immunity, and cellular metabolism. A number of basic science, clinical, and epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D has multidirectional biological effects and inﬂuences anti-cancer intracellular mechanisms and cancer risk, and that vitamin D dietary supplements have various prophylactic beneﬁts. In the 20th century, it was reported that vitamin D may play various roles in the protection and regulation of normal cellular phenotypes and in cancer prevention and adjunctive therapy in various human neoplasms, including HNSCC, by regulating a number of intracellular mechanisms, including control of tumour cell expansion and differentiation, apoptosis, intercellular interactions, angio-and lymphogenesis, immune function, and tumour invasion. These regulatory properties mainly occur indirectly via epigenetic and transcriptional changes regulating the function of transcription factors, chromatin modiﬁers, non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRs) through protein-protein interactions and signalling pathways. In this way, calcitriol enhances intercellular communication in cancer biology, restores the connection with the extracellular matrix, and promotes the epithelial phenotype; it thus counteracts

FAQs

Why is HNSCC difficult to treat despite advances in therapy?

HNSCC has high rates of nodal metastases and local recurrences, leading to a fatal clinical course. Even with newer surgical and combined treatments, overall survival remains limited.

What key biological roles does vitamin D play in relation to cancer in the review?

Vitamin D is described as influencing cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, immunity, and cellular metabolism. It also affects mechanisms related to apoptosis, cellular interactions, and tumor invasion.

How does the review connect vitamin D with immune function in HNSCC?

The review highlights vitamin D’s regulatory effects on immune function and its broader anti-cancer intracellular pathways. It emphasizes that these effects can occur through epigenetic and transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Mia