Vitamin D and Cutaneous Melanoma Risk: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Background

Vitamin D (VitD) properties can impact cancer cells. Despite the documented link between VitD levels and prevalence of several cancer types, conflicting findings have been reported for cutaneous melanoma (CM).

Objective

This overview aims to compile the evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, emphasizing the relationships between VitD serum levels, intake, receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms, and CM risk.

Methods

A literature search in electronic databases was conducted, based on certain inclusion criteria.

Results

Twenty-one studies were included. Conflicting evidence between high VitD serum levels, dietary/supplementary intake, and CM risk is highlighted. VDR polymorphisms may play a role in the intricate CM pathogenesis. Also, high serum levels of VitD are associated with improved CM prognosis.

Conclusions

This overview showed that the impact of VitD on CM is not clear, and thus further research is suggested to explore its true effect size on CM risk.