Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Strengthening Inspiratory Muscles in Cholecalciferol-Deficient Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This phase IIb randomized trial studies how well cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation works in strengthening inspiratory muscles in cholecalciferol-deficient patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cholecalciferol supplementation may help reduce the risk of developing lung cancer and strengthen the diaphragm in cholecalciferol-deficient patients with COPD.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To establish the effect of D vitamin (vitamin D3) supplementation on inspiratory muscle strength in vitamin D3-deficient chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. (Roswell Park Cancer Institute \[RPCI\]/University at Buffalo \[UB\] study) II. To establish the 12 month conversion rate. (University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute \[UPCI\] study)

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To establish the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on peripheral muscle strength and exercise capacity in vitamin D3-deficient COPD patients. (RPCI/UB study) II. To establish the 3 and 6-month conversion rates. (UPCI study) III. To examine whether vitamin D3 supplementation is equally effective in COPD patients who are current versus former smokers. (UPCI study)

TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To explore the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in COPD patients on biomarkers of lung cancer risk, inflammation, and pulmonary function. (UPCI study)

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

CONTROL ARM: Patients receive a placebo and multivitamin orally (PO) once daily (QD) for 52 weeks.

SUPPLEMENTATION ARM: Patients receive a multivitamin and cholecalciferol supplement PO QD for 52 weeks.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 1 year.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Current or ex-smoker with at least a 10-year pack history
* COPD, defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) \< 70% and FEV1% predicted \< 80%
* 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25\[OH\]D3) level less than 20 ng/mL prior to study initiation
* Willingness to comply with study guidelines
* Willingness to avoid alternative/additional vitamin D3 supplementation for the duration of the trial
* Subject must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

* Personal history of lung cancer or head and neck cancer
* History of malabsorption syndrome (e.g., pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, or tropical sprue)
* History of known thyroid disease
* History of known sarcoid disease
* History of known abnormalities in calcium metabolism
* Hypercalcemia (serum calcium in excess of laboratory upper limit normal \[ULN\])
* Self-reported consumption of more than 4 alcoholic drinks per day
* Use of anti-seizure medications phenobarbital or phenytoin, which can disrupt vitamin D metabolism
* History of known renal dysfunction
* History of known nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
* Current use of supplemental oxygen
* Inability to exercise due to musculoskeletal issue, osteoarthritis or underlying cardiac disease
* Current participation in a cancer intervention prevention study, except for smoking cessation
* Any condition which in the Investigator's opinion deems the subject an unsuitable candidate to receive study drug
* Inability to swallow pills
* Vitamin D supplementation \> 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D within 30 days prior to enrollment
* Positive Pregnancy Test