Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
13:19
Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Serum vitamin D concentration and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study
Jiyoung Ahn1, Ulrike Peters, Demetrius Albanes
1Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6120 Executive Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Ahnj@mail.nih.gov
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|May 29, 2008
Summary
Higher vitamin D levels were not linked to lower prostate cancer risk. Instead, elevated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between vitamin D status and prostate cancer risk.
- Few studies have explored if this association differs by prostate cancer aggressiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and prostate cancer risk.
- To determine if vitamin D status is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study nested within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial.
- Included 749 prostate cancer cases and 781 controls, frequency-matched.
- Used conditional logistic regression to analyze serum 25(OH)D concentrations against prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between overall prostate cancer risk and increasing serum 25(OH)D levels.
- Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations (Q2-Q5 vs. Q1) were associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer (P(trend) = .05).
- Associations with aggressive disease were consistent across various subgroups.
Conclusions:
- This study does not support the hypothesis that vitamin D is associated with decreased prostate cancer risk.
- Higher circulating 25(OH)D concentrations may be linked to an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...