Vitamin D-induced mechanisms in cancer prevention and therapy: Recent advances and future opportunities

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Vitamin D exhibits diverse molecular pathways and immunomodulatory properties relevant to cancer.
• It influences angiogenesis, apoptosis, differentiation, and cellular proliferation, impacting cancer progression.
• Vitamin D signaling interacts with key oncogenic pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, p53) affecting tumor growth and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular and therapeutic implications of vitamin D in oncology.
• To highlight vitamin D's potential as a safe, adjuvant cancer treatment.
• To explore its role in epigenetic modification and the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of vitamin D's mechanisms in cancer.
• Analysis of vitamin D's interaction with oncogenic pathways.
• Examination of synergistic effects with other cancer therapies.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D inhibits cancer through immune surveillance, DNA repair, and tumor suppression.
• It impacts tumor microenvironment and shows synergistic benefits with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
• Genetic variations in the VDR gene affect bioavailability and response.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D holds significant potential as an adjuvant therapy in various cancers.
• Further research is needed on non-calcemic analogs and personalized vitamin D-based treatments.
• Vitamin D's role in epigenetic modification and synergistic effects warrants continued investigation.