Vitamin D as an anticancer agent-possibility of using it in therapy

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is registrated in great majority of the world human population. Previous epidemiological studies reported that insufficient serum vitamin D concentration is associated with the risk of development of different cancers and poor patients’ prognosis. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated anticancerogen effects of vitamin D, which is reflected in cell cycle arrest, induction of cell differentiation, apoptosis induction, inhibition of malignant cell invasion and antiangiogenic effect. Proved anticancerogen effect of vitamin D indicates the importance of studying single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes responsible for vitamin D functioning and metabolism, as well as using vitamin D and/or vitamin D sintetic analogs for preventive and therapy purposes. Here, we outline vitamin D anticancerogen characteristics, as well as possibility and challenges of potential using it in cancer therapy.