Lower Vitamin D Levels May Be Tied to a Higher Risk of Chemotherapy Neuropathy

A systematic review in Supportive Care in Cancer suggests that low vitamin D status may be linked to a greater chance of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in people with cancer. The review also included an exploratory quantitative synthesis to examine whether serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were associated with the risk or severity of this treatment-related toxicity. The work was led by researchers including Juncheng Wei, Chuyue Chang, Mengfei Li, and Miao Jiang.

The protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO under identifier CRD420261438011. The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from database inception through June 23, 2026. Eligible studies were English-language human studies that reported vitamin D status and CIPN outcomes during or after neurotoxic anticancer therapy. The team recorded when vitamin D was measured and used the ROBINS-E tool to assess risk of bias. Adjusted and unadjusted estimates were analyzed separately, and two-study pooled models were planned as exploratory analyses.

Fourteen records contributed evidence to the review. In the exploratory adjusted pooling for severe CIPN, two studies were included and the common-effect odds ratio was 1.81, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.32 to 2.49. The heterogeneity statistic (I2) for this model was 92.4%. The random-effects model for severe CIPN produced an odds ratio of 2.94, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.63 to 13.73.

For any grade of CIPN, the exploratory adjusted pooling also drew from two studies. The common-effect odds ratio was 2.76, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.70 to 4.48, and an I2 of 70.5%. The random-effects odds ratio for any CIPN was 3.36, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.20 to 9.43. According to the review, the relationship appeared stronger when vitamin D was measured before treatment or at baseline.

The authors caution that the evidence is still preliminary and should be viewed as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive. Most of the included studies carried a high or very high risk of bias, the pooled analyses were based on only a small number of studies, and heterogeneity was substantial.

In summary, the review offers exploratory evidence that low vitamin D status may be associated with a higher risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Larger, better-designed studies will be needed to confirm the finding.

Subject of Research: Association between vitamin D status and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Article Title: Vitamin D status and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer: a systematic review with exploratory quantitative synthesis

Article References: Wei, J., Chang, C., Li, M., & Jiang, M. (2026). Vitamin D status and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer: a systematic review with exploratory quantitative synthesis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 34(12), Article 1203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11456-6

Image Credits: AI Generated

Keywords: vitamin D, chemotherapy, peripheral neuropathy, cancer, systematic review, oncology, toxicity, risk factors, Vitamin, status, chemotherapy-induced, peripheral

Cite Scienmag News

Nathaniel Bowman. (November 7, 2026). Low Vitamin D Linked to Chemotherapy Neuropathy Risk. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-chemotherapy-neuropathy-risk/

Nathaniel Bowman. "Low Vitamin D Linked to Chemotherapy Neuropathy Risk." Scienmag, 7 November 2026, https://scienmag.com/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-chemotherapy-neuropathy-risk/. Accessed 7 November 2026.