The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention

Chin J Nat Med. 2015 Jul;13(7):481-97. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30043-1.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Calcitriol; Cancer prevention; Cancer prognosis; Vitamin D; Vitamin D deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcitriol / blood*
  • Cholecalciferol / blood*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / blood
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Calcitriol