Objective: Our aims were to compare the vitamin D status of children with and without cancer and to examine the possible correlation between vitamin D levels in children with cancer before initiating treatment and prognosis. Method: We compared the data of 173 children with cancer with those of 569 children without cancer. Results: We measured a significant difference (p = 1.34E–08) between the vitamin D levels of children with cancer before treatment and children without cancer. There was a significant correlation between the initial vitamin D levels of children with cancer and the prognosis (p = 0.016, odds ratio = 51.33) at 5% significance. Conclusions: The average vitamin D level was 19.76% lower in the population with cancer compared with the average of the control group, and we found a correlation between the lower vitamin D levels in children with cancer and the adverse prognosis. We suggest that supplying vitamin D is reasonable and a prospective study of vitamin D in pediatric patients with cancer is recommended.

Background: Our previous work has shown a correlation between lower vitamin D levels in children with cancer and adverse prognosis. It suggests that supplying vitamin D is reasonable. VDR expression in childhood solid tumors has been linked to tumor characteristics and patient survival in only a few studies. Methods: For this study, 177 children with solid tumors were selected whose biopsies and tumor tissue formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were available for immunohistochemical analysis at Semmelweis University, Budapest (Hungary). Results: We found that non-significant VDR expression was associated with a significantly less favorable prognosis (p = 0.0061) in the examined childhood solid tumors. There was a clinically significant association; non-significant VDR expression had more than 14-fold odds of an unfavorable prognosis (OR = 14.74). The rate of VDR expression differed significantly between tumor types (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In conclusion, VDR expression measured by IHC staining is inversely associated with aggressive characteristics in different childhood cancers. The downregulation of VDR expression in more aggressive childhood cancers suggests that functional vitamin D activity may slow or block cancer progression.

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with oncogenesis, and the initial level of Vitamin D may play a role in determining long-term prognosis, relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). The purpose of our study was to follow up pediatric cancer patients for a long time in terms of their baseline Vitamin D level and disease outcomes. Methods: We collected data on the initial 25(OH)D concentration in 117 children and examined their RFS and OS using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: The initial 25(OH)D mean value in the relapsed group was 20.35 ng/mL (SE: 2.05) and in children without relapse it was 26.14 ng/mL (SE: 1.13). Both the relapse-free and overall Kaplan–Meier curves showed a tendency for children with lower serum Vitamin D concentrations to experience cancer recurrence or fatal outcomes sooner than patients with normal serum levels. Conclusions: Our results indicated a possible correlation between higher pretreatment serum Vitamin D concentrations and improved overall and relapse-free survival.

MRI examinations frequently induce considerable distress and anxiety in both children and their parents. This unease can result in patient movement, compromising image quality, or hindering the execution of the examination. Consequently, general anesthesia is commonly employed during pediatric MRI procedures. However, research indicates that adequate preparation can diminish the necessity for anesthesia, thereby reducing risks, costs, and examination duration. To address this, we have developed a custom virtual reality experience that integrates familiarization with the examination room alongside a gamified space mission infused with elements of mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy. Our ongoing study aims to assess whether this experience can decrease the need for anesthesia and improve psychological variables (children’s fear, nervousness, mood, and familiarity) in children aged 4–18 years undergoing MRI scans. The study is structured as a three-arm randomized controlled trial (VR, educational booklet, passive control), aiming to enroll 96 patients per arm, totaling 288 patients. Data collection commenced in November 2023 and we anticipate to reach our target by December 2025. The outcomes of this research hold significant potential to transform pediatric healthcare by reducing anesthesia reliance. This reduction could yield cost savings, decrease the requirement for specialized equipment and trained personnel, and improve the overall experience for children, their families, and healthcare providers. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the identification number NCT06132854 on 11/06/2023, and modified on 26/02/2024.