Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent adverse effect associated with platinum-based agents, vinca alkaloids, and taxanes, contributing to a significant increase in morbidity, reduced quality of life, and treatment of nonadherence. Evidence suggests that nutritional status, particularly vitamin D (VD) levels, could influence CIPN incidence and clinical manifestations.
Aim
To compile evidence on the association between VD status and CIPN incidence and severity in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane for primary investigations published up to 25 September 2025.
Results
Eleven observational studies were included. Based on the results from these studies, patients with breast or cervical cancer and VD deficiency receiving paclitaxel appear to exhibit higher incidence and risk of CIPN, highlighting VD levels as a predictor of CIPN development. Moreover, in patients with multiple myeloma on bortezomib, thalidomide and/or lenalidomide, and those receiving an oxaliplatin-based regimen for gastrointestinal tumors, lower VD levels seem to be associated with significantly higher incidence or prevalence of CIPN.
Conclusion
These findings suggest a relation between low serum VD levels and an increased risk and severity of CIPN, hypothetically mediated by the neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, and anti-inflammatory properties of VD which could play a protective role in the development of CIPN. Future research should conduct stratified randomized controlled trials, standardize VD cutoffs and explore dose-response in high-risk groups, to elucidate its potential clinical implications.
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