Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a randomized clinical trial in 25,871 U.S. men and women investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor® fish oil, 1 gram) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses. The 5-year intervention phase (study pill-taking, median 5.3 years) has ended; post-intervention observational follow-up of study participants is ongoing.


Clinical Trial Description

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a randomized clinical trial of vitamin D (in the form of vitamin D3 [cholecalciferol]) and marine omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] + docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) supplements in the primary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Existing data from laboratory studies, epidemiologic research, small primary prevention trials, and/or large secondary prevention trials strongly suggest that these nutritional agents may reduce risk for cancer or CVD, but large primary prevention trials with adequate dosing in general populations are lacking. VITAL tested the independent effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on risk for developing cancer and CVD (primary, secondary, and other outcomes are specified in the Outcome Measures section). VITAL also explored (a) whether vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements exhibit synergistic or additive effects on cancer and CVD risk and (b) whether the effect of each supplement on cancer and CVD risk varies by baseline blood levels or intake of vitamin D and EPA+DHA, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (for vitamin D), as well as age, sex, sunlight exposure, calcium intake, and baseline risk factors for cancer and CVD. Eligible participants were assigned by chance (like a coin toss) to one of four groups: (1) daily vitamin D and omega-3; (2) daily vitamin D and omega-3 placebo; (3) daily vitamin D placebo and omega-3; or (4) daily vitamin D placebo and omega-3 placebo. Participants had an equal chance of being assigned to any of these four groups and a 3 out of 4 chance of getting at least one active agent. Participants in all groups took two pills each day -- one softgel that contained either vitamin D or vitamin D placebo and one capsule that contained either omega-3 or omega-3 placebo. Participants received their study pills in convenient calendar packages via U.S. mail. Participants fill out a short (15-20 minute) questionnaire each year. The questionnaire asks about health; lifestyle habits such as physical exercise, diet, and smoking; use of medications and dietary supplements; family history of illness, and new medical diagnoses. We request consent for medical record review to confirm endpoints. Occasionally, participants may receive a phone call from study staff to collect information or to clarify responses on the questionnaire. At baseline, 16,954 VITAL participants provided an optional blood sample. Approximately 6,000 of these participants provided a follow-up blood sample during years 1-5 of the trial. At baseline, year 2, and year 4 of the trial, a subcohort of 1,054 VITAL participants living within driving distance of Boston, Massachusetts received detailed in-clinic health assessments at the Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) of Brigham and Women's Hospital. During CTSC visits, participants had a clinical exam, including measurement of height, weight, other anthropometrics, blood pressure, and physical performance. They also provided fasting blood and urine samples, and underwent 2-hour oral glucose tolerance testing, lung function testing (spirometry), electrocardiograms, bone mineral density testing, 2D-echocardiography, and assessments of thinking and mood. VITAL is supported by funding from the National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Pharmavite LLC of Northridge, California (vitamin D) and Pronova BioPharma (BASF) of Norway (Omacor® fish oil) donated the study agents, matching placebos, and packaging in the form of calendar packs. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT01169259
Study type Interventional
Source Brigham and Women's Hospital
Contact
Status Active, not recruiting
Phase Phase 3
Start date July 2010
Completion date February 2025

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT05346796 - Survivorship Plan HEalth REcord (SPHERE) Implementation Trial N/A
Recruiting NCT05094804 - A Study of OR2805, a Monoclonal Antibody Targeting CD163, Alone and in Combination With Anticancer Agents Phase 1/Phase 2
Completed NCT04867850 - Effect of Behavioral Nudges on Serious Illness Conversation Documentation N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT04086251 - Remote Electronic Patient Monitoring in Oncology Patients N/A
Completed NCT01285037 - A Study of LY2801653 in Advanced Cancer Phase 1
Completed NCT00680992 - Study of Denosumab in Subjects With Giant Cell Tumor of Bone Phase 2
Completed NCT00062842 - Study of Irinotecan on a Weekly Schedule in Children Phase 1
Active, not recruiting NCT04548063 - Consent Forms in Cancer Research: Examining the Effect of Length on Readability N/A
Completed NCT04337203 - Shared Healthcare Actions and Reflections Electronic Systems in Survivorship N/A
Recruiting NCT04349293 - Ex-vivo Evaluation of the Reactivity of the Immune Infiltrate of Cancers to Treatments With Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Immunomodulatory Pathways N/A
Terminated NCT02866851 - Feasibility Study of Monitoring by Web-application on Cytopenia Related to Chemotherapy N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05304988 - Development and Validation of the EFT for Adolescents With Cancer
Completed NCT00340522 - Childhood Cancer and Plexiform Neurofibroma Tissue Microarray for Molecular Target Screening and Clinical Drug Development
Recruiting NCT04843891 - Evaluation of PET Probe [64]Cu-Macrin in Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and Sarcoidosis. Phase 1
Active, not recruiting NCT03844048 - An Extension Study of Venetoclax for Subjects Who Have Completed a Prior Venetoclax Clinical Trial Phase 3
Completed NCT03109041 - Initial Feasibility Study to Treat Resectable Pancreatic Cancer With a Planar LDR Source Phase 1
Completed NCT03167372 - Pilot Comparison of N-of-1 Trials of Light Therapy N/A
Terminated NCT01441115 - ECI301 and Radiation for Advanced or Metastatic Cancer Phase 1
Recruiting NCT06206785 - Resting Energy Expenditure in Palliative Cancer Patients
Recruiting NCT05318196 - Molecular Prediction of Development, Progression or Complications of Kidney, Immune or Transplantation-related Diseases