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Vitamin
D and vitamin D analogs in cancer treatment
van den Bemd GJ, Chang GT
Department
of Endocrinology & Reproduction, Erasmus University Medical Center
Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Vandenbemd@endov.fgg.eur.nl
The secosteroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) is a key player
in the regulation of bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis.
In addition, 1,25-(OH)2D3 has antiproliferative and prodifferentiation effects
on various cells in vitro and in vivo.
The growth-inhibitory properties of 1,25-(OH)2D3 could be harnessed in the
treatment of cancer.
However, its use as an anti-cancer drug is limited because of the calcemic
effects of pharmacological doses.
In an attempt to dissociate the antiproliferative and calcemic effects, numerous
vitamin D3 analogs were developed.
The mechanisms by which 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 analogs exert their
growth-inhibitory effects are not clear but include effects on cell
differentiation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, metastases, and
angiogenesis.
In the current review aspects involved in the tumor suppressive activity of
1,25-(OH)2D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 analogs will be addressed.
The use of vitamin D3 compounds, alone or in combination with other drugs, in
cancer treatment and the potential drawbacks will also be discussed.
PMID:
11899952 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11899952&dopt=Abstract
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