Nutrient-Based Approaches for Melanoma: Prevention and Therapeutic Insights
Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4483; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204483
by Yucheng Dong 1,†,Jiaxin Wei 2,†,Fan Yang 3,Yang Qu 4,Jiuzuo Huang 1,* andDi Shi 2,*
Melanoma, a prevalent and lethal form of skin cancer, remains a formidable challenge in terms of prevention and treatment. While significant progress has been made in understanding its pathogenesis and treatment, the quest for effective prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches remains ongoing. Considering the increased advancements in understanding the dynamic interplay between nutrients and melanoma, we aim to offer a refreshed perspective on nutrient-based approaches for melanoma prevention and adjunctive therapy. In contrast to other studies, we have innovatively provided a detailed exposition of the nutrients’ influences on melanoma prognosis and treatment.
This review firstly examines various nutrients, including
- antioxidants (namely vitamins A, D, C, and E; selenium; and caffeine),
- polyunsaturated fatty acids, and flavonoids,
for their effects and underlying mechanisms in reducing melanoma risk.
Among these nutrients, caffeine shows the most promising potential, as it is supported by multiple cohort studies for its protective effect against melanoma. In contrast, there is a certain degree of inconsistency in the research of other nutrients, possibly due to inherent differences between animal studies and epidemiological research, as well as variations in the definition of nutrient intake. To comprehensively investigate the impact of nutrients on melanoma progression and therapeutic approaches, the following sections will explore how nutrients influence immune responses and other physiological processes.
While there is robust support from cell and animal studies regarding the immunomodulatory attributes of vitamins D and zinc, the anti-angiogenic potential of polyphenols, and the cell growth-inhibitory effects of flavonoids, the limited availability of human-based research substantially constrains their practical relevance in clinical contexts.
As for utilizing nutrients in adjuvant melanoma treatments, multiple approaches have garnered clinical research support, including the utilization of vitamin D to decrease the postoperative recurrence rates among melanoma patients and the adoption of a high-fiber diet to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. In general, the effects of most nutrients on reducing the risk of melanoma are not entirely clear. However, several nutrients, including vitamin D and dietary fiber, have demonstrated their potential to improve the melanoma prognosis and enhance the treatment outcomes, making them particularly deserving of clinical attention. A personalized and interdisciplinary approach, involving dermatologists, oncologists, nutritionists, and researchers, holds the promise of optimizing melanoma treatment strategies.
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| Title | | Modified |
| Melanoma risk reduced by Vitamin D and other nutrients - many studies | | 24 Oct, 2023 |
| Melanoma death risk 0.63 X lower if poor Vitamin D Binding Gene – July 2023 | | 26 Aug, 2023 |
| Metastatic Melanoma survived 2X longer if adequate level of Vitamin D – July 2023 | | 03 Aug, 2023 |
| Melanoma is 1.4X more-likely if low Vitamin D – meta-analysis May 2023 | | 18 May, 2023 |
| Melanoma might be suppressed by Vitamin D - many studies | | 25 Nov, 2022 |
| Melanoma Cancer detected more often (perhaps due to infrequent intense UVA) – Oct 2022 | | 07 Oct, 2022 |
| Overview Suntan, melanoma and vitamin D | | 28 Nov, 2021 |
| Melanoma not treated by small doses of vitamin D (100,000 IU every 50 days) – RCT June 2021 | | 30 Jun, 2021 |
| Melanoma huge increase - perhaps due to use of sunscreen or lower vitamin D - Aug 2014 | | 26 Apr, 2021 |
| Melanoma associated with vitamin D less than 30 ng (9X) – March 2021 | | 13 Mar, 2021 |
| Recurrence of malignant melanoma may be reduced by 100,000 IU of vitamin D monthly – trial underway 2017 | | 13 Mar, 2021 |
| Melanoma 25 X more likely if low vitamin D – Feb 2018 | | 13 Mar, 2021 |
| Sunlight on skin has decreased 9X while melanoma has increased 30X – Feb 2020 | | 20 Feb, 2020 |
| Melanoma 2.1 X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis Jan 2020 | | 11 Jan, 2020 |
| Melanoma cancer growth slowed by increased Vitamin D Receptor (yet again) – Oct 2019 | | 06 Nov, 2019 |
| Melanoma Is a Disease of Office Workers - Dec 2018 | | 12 Dec, 2018 |
| Better Cancer survival if higher vitamin D a decade earlier (esp. Melanoma, Kidney, Prostate)– Aug 2018 | | 20 Nov, 2018 |
| UVB improvements to Vitamin D receptor appear to improve melanoma survival – Oct 2017 | | 09 Oct, 2017 |
| Non-melanoma skin cancer varies with latitude, melanoma does not – April 2017 | | 23 May, 2017 |
| Malignant melanoma may be reduced by skin-activated vitamin D – Nov 2016 | | 27 Jan, 2017 |
| People with metastatic melanoma and initially Vitamin D deficient had 4.7 times worse outcome if not get enough D – Dec 2016 | | 31 Dec, 2016 |
| Vitamin D being considered for Melanoma – active vitamin D is produced by skin – Nov 2016 | | 01 Dec, 2016 |
| Melanoma survival doubled with Vitamin D binding protein polymorphism – Nov 2015 | | 18 Nov, 2015 |
| Will vitamin D loading dose and 50,000 IU monthly will help after melanoma surgery – Oct 2014 | | 24 Oct, 2014 |
| Melanoma REDUCED by those getting the most UV, unless 5 blistering sunburns while in teen years – June 2014 | | 05 Jun, 2014 |
| Death from melanoma (without ulcers) greatly decreased if have lots of vitamin D receptors – May 2014 | | 28 May, 2014 |
| Melanoma and Vitamin D genes - multiple papers | | 22 Mar, 2014 |
| Subsequent melanomas associated with BsmI gene variation of VDR– May 2011 | | 22 Mar, 2014 |
| Melanoma risk 2X to 4X higher if Vitamin D receptor genes had morphed – March 2014 | | 19 Mar, 2014 |
| Decreased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer by working outdoors in Europe – April 2013 | | 22 Dec, 2013 |
| UV and Melanoma: are they related – 2013 | | 19 Dec, 2013 |
| The Protective Role of Vitamin D Signaling in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer - Nov 2013 | | 14 Dec, 2013 |
| Melanoma is 44 percent LESS LIKELY if get sun on the job – Nov 2013 | | 01 Dec, 2013 |
| Melanoma not as thick if recently had a sunny vacation – Nov 2013 | | 14 Nov, 2013 |
| UVA most likely causes melanoma to progress– Sept 2011 | | 10 Nov, 2013 |
| Prostate Cancer increased melanoma rate by 2X (vitamin D not mentioned) Nov 2013 | | 09 Nov, 2013 |
| Melanoma and Vitamin D - association is not certain - 2012 | | 14 Jul, 2013 |
| Melanoma reduces by half the amount of vitamin D activated by the skin – March 2013 | | 17 Apr, 2013 |
| Melanoma less likely when far from equator – Oct 2012 | | 07 Dec, 2012 |
| Red-haired mice can get melanoma without UV - Oct 2012 | | 29 Nov, 2012 |
| Hypothesis – worldwide increase in Melanoma due to UVA – Oct 2011 | | 17 Oct, 2012 |
| Sun exposure is associated with increased survival from melanoma – 2005 | | 07 Oct, 2012 |
| No association found between melanoma and low vitamin D levels – Sept 2012 | | 12 Sep, 2012 |
| UVB, Smoking and second cancers after melanoma – Jan 2012 | | 06 Mar, 2012 |
| Perhaps 28-40 ng of vitamin D would be good for Melanoma patients – Feb 2011 | | 06 Mar, 2011 |
| Study Suggests Indoor Tanning Boosts Chances of Melanoma | | 27 May, 2010 |