Vitamin D supplementation for patients with triple negative breast cancer

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Rate of Pathologic Complete Response in Vitamin D Deficient Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Operable Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Phase 2 Interventional Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT04677816

This study is testing if giving vitamin D to patients with triple negative breast cancer who are low in vitamin D can help them respond better to chemotherapy compared to those who have enough vitamin D.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT04677816 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study investigates the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the rate of pathologic complete response in patients with vitamin D deficiency undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable triple negative breast cancer. It includes two arms: one for patients receiving vitamin D supplementation and another observational arm for vitamin D sufficient patients. The primary objective is to determine if the pathologic complete response rate in vitamin D deficient patients receiving supplementation is greater than historical controls. Secondary objectives include assessing residual cancer burden, safety, tolerability, and changes in vitamin D receptor expression and microbiomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with histologically confirmed invasive triple negative breast cancer and vitamin D deficiency who are scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with non-triple negative breast cancer or those who are vitamin D sufficient may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance treatment outcomes for patients with triple negative breast cancer by improving response rates through vitamin D supplementation.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of vitamin D supplementation with neoadjuvant chemotherapy is novel, previous studies have suggested potential benefits of vitamin D in cancer treatment.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women or men with histologically confirmed invasive mammary carcinoma.
* Known triple negative ER/PR/HER2 receptor status as defined by:

  * ER and PR less than or equal to 10% and
  * HER2 negative based on one of the following:
  * IHC 0 or 1+
  * IHC 2+ and FISH negative
  * IHC 2+ and FISH equivocal and no indication for HER2 targeted therapy based on the treating investigators discretion (i.e., HER2: CEP17 ratio \< 2.0 or HER2 total copy number \<6)
* Patients who plan to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to definitive surgical management. Participants are eligible up to 2 weeks after initiating neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
* ECOG performance status of 0, 1 or 2.
* Age ≥ 18.
* The effects of high dose vitamin D on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent document (either directly or via a legally authorized representative).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with nephrolithiasis within the past year.
* Patients with known sarcoidosis.
* Patients with corrected calcium \>10.5 mg/dL within 30 days prior to initiation of chemotherapy.
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to vitamin D.
* Pregnant women are excluded from this study because vitamin D supplementation greater than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is a pregnancy class C agent with no adequate or well controlled studies in humans.
* Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with high dose vitamin D (greater than RDA), women who are breastfeeding are excluded from this study.
* Prior treatment for this malignancy including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or investigational agent prior to study entry.
* Patients currently taking Vitamin D at a dose of 50,000 International Units (IU) once weekly.

Where this trial is running

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Triple Negative Breast CancerVitamin D DeficiencyInvasive Breast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.