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Published on: March 6, 2018
Clinical trials involving vitamin D analogs in prostate cancer
Srinivasan Vijayakumar1, Rajeshwari R Mehta, Philip S Boerner
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California 95817, USA. srinivasan.vijayakumar@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Abstract:
Vitamin D shows significant potential as a therapy for prostate cancer. However, its use in clinical trials has been hampered by its induction of hypercalcemia at serum concentrations required to suppress cancer cell proliferation. This has spurred the development of less calcemic analogs of vitamin D. In this article, we review the clinical trials and consider the future directions of the use of vitamin D and its analogs in the treatment or chemoprevention of prostate cancer. First, we summarize the epidemiological evidence leading to the hypothesis that vitamin D has anticancer activity. We then review the clinical trials using vitamin D analogs that involve patients with prostate cancer and conclude with a brief overview of our planned study with vitamin D5, [1alpha(OH)D5], which will begin shortly. Data for this review were identified by searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Biosis, and references from relevant articles, using the search terms "vitamin D," "prostate cancer," "chemoprevention" and "vitamin D analog." Abstracts from recent international meetings were also reviewed but were only included when they were the only known reference to the clinical trial or the research mentioned. Only papers published in English were included.
Insights
Vitamin D and its analogs show promise for prostate cancer treatment and prevention. However, side effects like hypercalcemia limit their use, driving the development of safer vitamin D analogs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Epidemiological studies suggest a link between vitamin D and reduced prostate cancer risk.
- High serum concentrations of vitamin D needed for cancer suppression can cause hypercalcemia, limiting clinical use.
- Development of less calcemic vitamin D analogs is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing clinical trials on vitamin D and its analogs for prostate cancer treatment and chemoprevention.
- To discuss future research directions, including novel vitamin D analogs.
- To provide an overview of a planned study using vitamin D5 [1alpha(OH)D5].
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Biosis.
- Inclusion of relevant articles and abstracts using keywords: "vitamin D," "prostate cancer," "chemoprevention," and "vitamin D analog."
- Focus on English-language publications and recent international meeting abstracts.
Main Results:
- Review of epidemiological evidence supporting vitamin D's anticancer activity.
- Analysis of clinical trials involving vitamin D analogs in prostate cancer patients.
- Identification of challenges and opportunities in using vitamin D for prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D analogs offer a promising therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer, potentially overcoming hypercalcemia limitations.
- Further clinical trials and research into novel analogs are warranted for effective treatment and chemoprevention.
- Vitamin D5 [1alpha(OH)D5] is being investigated as a potential new therapeutic agent.
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