The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention

• Published in: Chinese journal of natural medicines Vol. 13; no. 7; pp. 481 - 497
• Main Authors: Ness, Rachel A., Miller, Duane D., LI, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Calcitriol; Calcitriol - blood; Cancer prevention; Cancer prognosis; Cholecalciferol - blood; Humans; Neoplasms - blood; Neoplasms - etiology; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - blood; Vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - complications; Vitamin D deficiency; Cancer prevention; Vitamin D; Cancer prognosis; Calcitriol
• ISSN: 1875-5364; 1875-5364
• DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30043-1

Vitamin D, also known as cholecalciferol, is the precursor to the active steroid hormone 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol; 1, 25(OH)2D3). The main physiological role for 1, 25(OH)2D3 is to regulate calcium and inorganic phosphate homeostasis for bone health. More recently, vitamin D has been investigated for its effects in the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Preclinical data strongly support a role for vitamin D in the prevention of cancer through its anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects on cells. Epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown mixed data on the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and cancer risk. This report seeks to outline results from the most recent preclinical and clinical studies investigating the potential role of vitamin D in cancer prevention.