ABSTRACT
Cancers are a complex diseases that involve abnormal cell growth pattern and it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. Cancer cause malnutrition and deficiencies of vitamins, in addition chemotherapy causes those deficiencies by induced anorexia, stomatitis, and alimentary tract disturbances. The study aims to determined and assessed the levels of serum vitamins (A, B12, B6, B9, E, D, and K) before and after chemotherapy administration. A prospective study carried out on newly diagnosed cancerous patients whom receiving chemotherapy. Fifty patients enrolling and recruited. Follow up will be recorded after the first, third, and sixth cycles of chemotherapy. The panel used for evaluation of vitamins concentration included the following six kits: Human Vitamin AV, E, VB6, B12, VD3 DIY, VK and FOLR3 ELISA kits. 38 females and 12 males included, with mean age was 48.35±15.28 years. The mostly distributed age group was belong to fifth decades. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 33.12±5.51 m2 /Kg. The majority of the sample treated were breast cancers females about 26(52%). Regarding chemotherapy regimens, the AC+Taxen protocol was mostly used. The mean level of vitamin A found to be declined to the half from (69.23±24.66 µg/dL) at C0 to (35.73±18.89 µg/dL) at C6. Normal mean value of vitamin B12 level was presented in the most of patients pre- and post- chemotherapy. Vitamin B6 concentrations in the most of patients risen by double post-chemotherapy. Vitamin D concentration not changed in pre- and post- chemotherapy. We observed a statistically significant differences among vitamin E concentration pre- and post- chemotherapy (ANOVA=3.213, P=0.033). In this study, most of patients pre-chemotherapy period had normal folate level, whereas it to decreased from (6.23±3.12 ng/mL) to reached (3.33±2.72 ng/mL) after anti-cancer, with strong statistically significant differences (ANOVA=6.56, P=0.012). In addition, vitamin K concentration was unchanged throughout chemotherapy cycles. Many factors in cancerous participants lead to vitamins deficiencies. Several vitamins remained within normal concentration throughout anti-cancer course might be due to vitamins supplement taken by persons during their regimens. Almost always vitamins concentration dropped during cycles, but still within normal value, except vitamin E, which was deficient in last cycle of chemotherapy. Vitamins replacement are mandatory for substitution dropping level because off those are essential for many body processes and regulation.