{"title":"Body Subcutaneous Fat Change Predicts Chemoradiotherapy Response and Prognosis of Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Cohort Study.","authors":"Hsueh-Chien Chiang, Ching-Juei Yang, Jing-Yao Wang, Forn-Chia Lin, Nai-Jung Chiang, Ta-Jung Chung, Yau-Lin Tseng, Bor-Shyang Sheu, Wei-Lun Chang","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2519971","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2519971","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with esophageal cancer are prone to poor nutrition. Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) may further influences body compositions including skeletal muscle (SM) and adipose tissue which are key indicators of nutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate whether body compositional change during CCRT could be a predictor of prognosis in esophageal cancer patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From 2006 to 2018, esophageal cancer patients who received CCRT as initial treatment were consecutively enrolled. We assessed body compositions, including subcutaneous fat (SCF), intramuscular fat (IMF), and SM mass by measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the fourth thoracic vertebral body on computed tomography (CT) scan. The body compositional change was assessed by comparing baseline and post-CCRT CSA. The association of body compositions and their changes during CCRT with patient prognosis was analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 178 patients were enrolled with a mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 22. After CCRT, there was a significant decrease in bodyweight (BW), SCF, IMF, and SM (<i>P</i> < 0.001). BMI and body compositions at baseline or post-CCRT were not significantly associated with patient prognosis. Patients with SCF loss during CCRT had significantly poorer CCRT response (OR 3.7, <i>P</i> < 0.001), shorter time to tumor progression (8.5 vs. 23.7 months, <i>P</i> = 0.011), and overall survival (13.7 vs. 25.9 months, <i>P</i> < 0.001) than patients with SCF gain/stable. IMF, SM, and BW change during CCRT did not correlate with CCRT response or survival. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, SCF change (HR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.03-2.14, <i>P</i> = 0.033) during CCRT was an independent predictor of survival after adjusting baseline BMI, cancer stage, treatment modality, and CCRT response.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>During the course of CCRT, SCF change is more sensitive than weight in assessing the nutritional status of esophageal cancer patients. SCF loss during CCRT is associated with worse CCRT response and survival in esophageal cancer patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144487177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adil Farooq Wali, Siajunisa Talath, Mohamed El Tanani, Imran Rashid Rangraze, Rasha Babiker, Sadat Shafi, Ruby Bansal
{"title":"PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy: Insights into Phytochemical-Based Therapeutics.","authors":"Adil Farooq Wali, Siajunisa Talath, Mohamed El Tanani, Imran Rashid Rangraze, Rasha Babiker, Sadat Shafi, Ruby Bansal","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2521884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2521884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer (BC) is listed as the most prevalent cancer form in women worldwide, with major subtypes classified by hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 status including, HR+/HER2- (∼65-70%), HER2+ (∼15-20%), Triple-Negative-HR-/HER2- (∼10-15%) and rare sybtypes (<5%). Scientific evidence has revealed that PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade plays an important role in the development and progression of BC, contributing to key cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Dysregulation of the components of this cascade including functional loss of Phosphatase and TENsin homolog (PTEN), PI3K hyperactivation, and gain-of-function of AKT, are frequently observed in BC subtypes, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention. A myriad of studies have documented the potential of phytochemicals, including curcumin, chrysin, fisetin, genistein, resveratrol and lycopene as modulators of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. These phytochemicals exhibit multifaceted mechanisms of action, including inhibition of key kinases, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, and reversal of resistance to chemotherapy. This review aims to provide a detailed overview about the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR alteration in BC development and the current research on phytochemicals that modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in BC. We documented the molecular mechanisms through which these compounds exert their effects, their potential synergistic interactions with conventional therapies, and the challenges and prospects for their clinical application. The evidence presented underscores the promise of phytochemicals as novel, less toxic adjuncts to traditional BC therapies, warranting further exploration and development for clinical use.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144477917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah A Purcell, Tanya M Halliday, Edward L Melanson, Anosheh Afghahi, Virginia F Borges, Isabella Sinelli, Marc-Andre Cornier
{"title":"Comparing Appetite and Dietary Intake Responses to Resistance Exercise in Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Versus Individuals Without Cancer: A Secondary Analysis.","authors":"Sarah A Purcell, Tanya M Halliday, Edward L Melanson, Anosheh Afghahi, Virginia F Borges, Isabella Sinelli, Marc-Andre Cornier","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2518611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2518611","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer survivors (BCS) undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy have increased risk of obesity. Estrogen and exercise suppress appetite in non-BCS populations, but their combined effects in BCS are unknown. This secondary analysis compared the impact of acute resistance exercise (REx) on appetite and energy intake in estrogen-suppressed BCS versus females without cancer ('non-BCS'). Premenopausal inactive BCS (stage 0-III estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, <5 years post-diagnosis, undergoing estrogen-targeted therapy) and non-BCS completed REx or sedentary (SED) conditions 35 min after a standardized breakfast. Appetite visual analog scales and hormones (ghrelin and peptide-YY [PYY]) were measured before and after breakfast and REx/SED; energy intake was assessed 3 h post-breakfast (1.5 h post-REx or SED). Fifteen BCS (age: 46 ± 7; BMI: 25.0 ± 3.8 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) and 12 non-BCS (age: 37 ± 8; BMI: 29.0 ± 5.1 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were included. BCS showed greater PYY 90 and 120 min post-breakfast compared to non-BCS, particularly after REx (group x time x condition: <i>p</i> = 0.009, <i>p</i> = 0.005, respectively). No group effects were observed for ghrelin. BCS had lower body mass-adjusted energy intake compared to non-BCS (<i>p</i> = 0.036), despite similar appetite ratings. Estrogen-suppressed BCS exhibit heightened PYY and lower energy intake after REx, revealing novel effects of exercise on appetite in a state of low estrogen.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144477916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luíza de Carvalho Almeida, Leandro Teixeira Cacau, Antônio Vinício Pontes de Freitas, Davi Jacome Santos Vasconcelos, Eliane Mara Viana Henriques, Patrícia Cândido Alves, Antônio Augusto Ferreira Carioca, Helena Alves de Carvalho Sampaio
{"title":"Association Between Health Literacy and Adherence to the Eat-<i>Lancet</i> Sustainable Reference Diet Among Cancer Survivors.","authors":"Luíza de Carvalho Almeida, Leandro Teixeira Cacau, Antônio Vinício Pontes de Freitas, Davi Jacome Santos Vasconcelos, Eliane Mara Viana Henriques, Patrícia Cândido Alves, Antônio Augusto Ferreira Carioca, Helena Alves de Carvalho Sampaio","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2518609","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2518609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate whether there is an association between the health literacy of breast and prostate cancer survivors and their feeding, considering the planetary diet recommendation. This cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from 201 women with breast cancer and 106 men with prostate cancer. Health literacy was evaluated using the Brazilian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. The EAT-Lancet diet adherence was assessed using the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). The mean PHDI score was 45.3 (9.0) points, without differences in consumption between men and women. The health literacy status and PHDI score were unassociated among cancer survivors. Adherence to a healthy and sustainable diet and health literacy were low among the studied population. Further studies should evaluate these conditions in other populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144334462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asier Del Arco, Saioa Aguirre-Elordui, Jurgi Olasagasti-Ibargoien, Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro
{"title":"Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Body Composition in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Asier Del Arco, Saioa Aguirre-Elordui, Jurgi Olasagasti-Ibargoien, Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2519965","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2519965","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Creatine is a naturally occurring compound stored in muscles, obtainable through diet and supplementation, known to enhance strength, exercise capacity, and recovery. Recent research suggests it may aid in treating some chronic diseases. This review analyzed the effects of creatine supplementation (CrS) on body composition in cancer patients or survivors. Following PRISMA guidelines, five databases were searched for studies up to September 12, reviewing seven articles with 463 participants (316 men, 147 women; average age 62.95 years). Five studies assessed CrS effects on body weight: three found no changes, while two reported increases. For lean body mass, three trials noted increases in both creatine and placebo groups, but differences were not significant. Fat mass results varied, showing reductions, no changes, or mitigated increases during hormone therapy. Although CrS showed potential improvements, evidence of significant effects on body composition in cancer patients remains limited. CrS appears safe and might be more beneficial with less aggressive treatments or in non-metastatic cases. Further research is needed to clarify its role in this context.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144327764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acupuncture Potentiates anti-PD-1 Efficacy by Promoting CD5<sup>+</sup> Dendritic Cells and T Cell-Mediated Tumor Immunity in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer.","authors":"Xiaoru Xu, Nan Wang, Yufen Li, Shasha Fan, Baohui Mu, Jianxun Zhu","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2517737","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2517737","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acupuncture has been recognized as a complementary therapy for various malignancies by modulating immune responses. However, the impact of acupuncture on the antitumor immune efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors remains unclear. This study evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture in conjunction with PD-1 inhibitors in enhancing the antitumor immune response against breast cancer and elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms through RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis in a 4T1 xenograft BALB/c mouse model of breast cancer. The findings indicate that the combination of acupuncture and PD-1 inhibitors significantly impedes tumor development by promoting tumor cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes following acupuncture intervention were primarily enriched in immune response pathways, T cell activation, and cytokine interactions, including immune cell-related CD genes such as CD5, CD4, and CD8. Notably, acupuncture stimulation enhanced CD5 expression, which correlated positively with overall survival in breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the combination treatment led to improved immunity characterized by an increase in CD5<sup>+</sup> dendritic cells, as well as CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell populations, alongside elevated serum levels of various cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ). Collectively, this study demonstrates that acupuncture intervention enhances the antitumor immune response associated with PD-1 inhibitors, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in breast cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144303650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk Role of Genetically Predicted Serum Iron Status on Thyroid Cancer.","authors":"Xiao Tian, Ting Liu, Xiubao Ren","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2515659","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2515659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous research has not clearly illustrated the impact of serum iron status on thyroid cancer. Bi-directional and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analyses were conducted to determine the causative effects of serum iron status on thyroid cancer. Genetic markers for serum iron status, including serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSTA), and transferrin, were acquired from the Genetics of Iron Status. The primary analytical method employed was inverse variance weighting, supplemented by other sensitivity approaches to validate the consistency of the results. Genetically predicted serum iron, ferritin, and TSTA were found to increase the risk of thyroid cancer. However, there was no causal link between transferrin levels and the risk of thyroid cancer. The causal link remained strong in the reverse MR and MVMR. Furthermore, serum iron status had no causal effect on benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland based on the two-sample MR analysis. Our MR study provides novel evidence that serum iron, ferritin, and TSTA are associated with thyroid cancer, but not with benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland. These markers could be useful for differential diagnosis. Strategies to lower serum iron levels may reduce the burden of thyroid cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associations of Urinary Equol Level and Equol-Producer Status with Endogenous Sex Hormone Levels in Premenopausal Japanese Women.","authors":"Michiko Tsuji, Keiko Wada, Makoto Hayashi, Noriyuki Takeda, Keigo Yasuda, Tomomi Ueno, Shigeto Uchiyama, Yasuhiro Abiru, Chisato Nagata","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2514784","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2514784","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The potential protective effects of soy isoflavones against breast cancer have been suggested. Equol, the end product of daidzein by intestinal bacteria, is superior to other isoflavones in its estrogenic activity. However, not all humans can produce equol. We cross-sectionally assessed the associations between equol-excretion status and endogenous sex hormone levels relevant to the etiology of breast cancer in premenopausal Japanese women. Fasting plasma concentrations of estradiol, estrone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in 348 premenopausal women with regular menstrual cycles. After controlling for covariates, urinary equol level was not significantly associated with the levels of any hormone. To approximate the ability to convert daidzein to equol, equol-producer status was defined among 141 women with urinary daidzein levels of 10 nmol/mg creatinine or higher. Among them, 30.5% had detectable levels of equol (equol producers). The plasma estrone level was significantly lower by 21.6% in equol producers than in non-producers. These data suggest that the ability to produce equol, but not equol itself, may be associated with the hormonal profile of premenopausal women. Further studies on factors related to equol production are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huan Teng, Xiaolan Sun, Cheng Jiang, Aiping Liu, Xiaoqing Liu, Yanrong Chen, Weiting Jiang, Kun Zhang, Bo Liao
{"title":"Ultrasound Measurements of Skeletal Muscle Predict Chemotherapy Toxicity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.","authors":"Huan Teng, Xiaolan Sun, Cheng Jiang, Aiping Liu, Xiaoqing Liu, Yanrong Chen, Weiting Jiang, Kun Zhang, Bo Liao","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2512611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2512611","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients often experience skeletal muscle mass (SMM) reduction, increasing chemotherapy toxicity risk. Although CT and MRI scans are commonly used to assess SMM, their limitations exist. Ultrasound, a convenient alternative, may serve as a predictive tool for chemotherapy toxicity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multi-center, prospective study analyzed 163 NSCLC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy. Ultrasound measured quadriceps muscle thickness (X-axis, Y-axis), cross-sectional area (CSA), fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle (PA). Chemotherapy toxicity was evaluated using CTCAE 5.0 criteria. Relationships between ultrasound parameters and toxicity were assessed <i>via</i> point-biserial correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) curve analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Muscle thickness (X-axis, Y-axis), CSA, and PA were significantly correlated with overall toxicity and grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with weaker correlations for non-hematologic toxicity. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed these parameters as independent predictors. ROC curve analysis revealed strong predictive value for CSA (AUC 0.796, cutoff 3.122 cm<sup>2</sup>) and X-axis thickness (AUC 0.768, cutoff 1.131 cm) in predicting grade 3-4 overall toxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ultrasound measurements of quadriceps muscle effectively predict severe chemotherapy toxicity (grade 3-4), offering a non-radiative, accessible tool to identify high-risk NSCLC patients, enabling tailored interventions and improved treatment tolerance.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144250929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kadriye Başkurt, Berkan Karabuğa, Nurlan Mammadzada, Osman Sütcüoğlu, Sercan Aksoy
{"title":"Letter to the Editor: Comment on \"Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Pathological Complete Response in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy\".","authors":"Kadriye Başkurt, Berkan Karabuğa, Nurlan Mammadzada, Osman Sütcüoğlu, Sercan Aksoy","doi":"10.1080/01635581.2025.2514277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2025.2514277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We read with great interest the recent randomized controlled trial reporting that vitamin D supplementation significantly improves pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). While the findings are noteworthy and contribute to the expanding literature on the supportive role of vitamin D in oncology, several critical methodological issues warrant further discussion. Specifically, the study did not adjust for key clinicopathologic variables-such as tumor subtype, T and N stage, lymphovascular invasion, and treatment intensity-that are well-established predictors of pCR. The lack of multivariate analysis raises concerns regarding potential confounding. Furthermore, the categorization of molecular subtypes lacked granularity, particularly in the distinction between luminal A and B tumors, which are known to exhibit divergent treatment responses. The study's narrow focus on pCR, without reporting other relevant pathological endpoints such as ypT/ypN stage or Miller-Payne grading, also limits its clinical interpretability. Importantly, ethical concerns arise from assigning patients with vitamin D deficiency to placebo, given the growing evidence supporting its correction in oncologic care. Addressing these limitations in future studies could enhance the reliability and translational relevance of the observed findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":54701,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and Cancer-An International Journal","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144250928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}