Calcitriol and cancer therapy: A missed opportunity

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its signaling pathway are present in most body tissues and their associated cancers.
• This widespread presence suggests that modulating vitamin D signaling could influence cancer initiation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential role of vitamin D signaling in cancer genesis and growth.
• To review the preclinical evidence supporting vitamin D compounds' anti-cancer activities.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data linking vitamin D signaling to cancer initiation and outcomes.
• Analysis of preclinical studies investigating the effects of calcitriol (1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol) and other vitamin D analogues on cancer cells.

Main Results:

• Epidemiological studies suggest a role for vitamin D signaling in various cancer types.
• Preclinical research demonstrates that calcitriol and vitamin D analogues exhibit antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-cell migration, and antiangiogenic effects in diverse cancer models.

Conclusions:

• The vitamin D signaling pathway is a plausible target for cancer therapy.
• Clinical assessment of vitamin D analogues for cancer treatment has been hindered by a lack of adherence to standard drug development and clinical trial protocols.