RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Newly-identified Pathways Relating Vitamin D to Carcinogenesis: A Review
JF In Vivo
JO In Vivo
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 1345
OP 1354
DO 10.21873/invivo.12387
VO 35
IS 3
A1 NADEEM BILANI
A1 LEAH ELSON
A1 CHARLES SZUCHAN
A1 ELIZABETH ELIMIMIAN
A1 MUSTAFA SALEH
A1 ZEINA NAHLEH
YR 2021
UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/35/3/1345.abstract
AB Background: The epidemiological relationship between vitamin D levels and cancer has been thoroughly investigated. Published data from large studies appear to corroborate a significant relationship between higher serum vitamin D concentrations and improved survival. Mechanistic reviews on commonly-studied cancers – including breast cancer, colon cancer and melanoma – focus predominantly on data from older studies. In outlining avenues for future research, we believe there is utility in summarizing novel findings introduced to the literature. Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, we used MEDLINE, PUBMED and Cochrane databases to identify mechanistic studies published from January 1, 2015 onwards exploring this topic. Results: Twenty-five mechanistic studies were included in this review. It was found that vitamin D plays a critical role in both direct (i.e. tumor gene expression, proliferation, invasiveness, sensitivity to chemotherapy etc.) and indirect (i.e. effects on the tumor microenvironment and immunomodulation) tumor suppression mechanisms. Conclusion: These newly-identified pathways warrant further research, with the hopes that we may understand how and when vitamin D supplementation can be integrated into precision medicine therapeutics for cancers of the breast, colon and skin. Cancer care providers should consider recommendations to screen for vitamin D deficiency in this population.