Nutrients

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 189 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

“The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention”: Some New Clues on a Fascinating Subject

by Jose M. Martin-Moreno and Alejandro Martin-Gorgojo

Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112560 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1288

Abstract

Increasing evidence from experimental animal nutrition studies suggests that vitamin D may potentially influence apoptosis and tumor-associated angiogenesis, reduce the initiation of carcinogenesis, and delay the multiplication and proliferation of tumor cells [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

17 pages, 6240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Vitamin D Levels Explored in the Latvian Cohort of Patients with Basal Cell Carcinoma Linked to the Sonic Hedgehog and Vitamin D Binding Protein Cutaneous Tissue Indices

by Jeļena Moisejenko-Goluboviča, Valērija Groma, Šimons Svirskis and Anna Ivanova

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3359; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163359 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1559

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation is known as one of the major contributors to skin malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common type of skin cancer. It is a heterogeneous tumor, which presents with various types that are stratified into low- and [...] Read more.

Ultraviolet radiation is known as one of the major contributors to skin malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common type of skin cancer. It is a heterogeneous tumor, which presents with various types that are stratified into low- and high-risk tumors. Sunlight is important for overall health and vitamin D synthesis in the skin, whereas deviations from the optimal level of vitamin D are shown to be associated with the risk of the development of BCC. The accumulating evidence suggests the ability of vitamin D to antagonize the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling, the key tumor pathway, and play a protective role in the development of BCC. Additionally, a vitamin D binding protein (DBP) is shown to be implicated in the complex regulation of vitamin D. Here, we aimed to explore serum vitamin D in patients with different primary and recurrent BCC of the head and neck and investigate cutaneous DBP and SHH indices, confirmed immunohistochemically in these subjects. According to the results, 94.9% of the Latvian cohort of BCC patients were found to be deficient in vitamin D. No significant differences in serum vitamin D levels were found between genders, primary and recurrent tumors, and different types of BCC. Serum vitamin D was inversely associated with tumor size. Susceptible male individuals with low blood vitamin D levels were recognized at risk of developing aggressive and recurrent BCC confirmed by the use of hierarchical clustering analysis. In smaller tumors with a favorable course, such as superficial and nodular BCC, the association between high DBP and low SHH tissue expression was found, providing supportive evidence of the existence of a link between vitamin D, proteins involved in its metabolism, as exemplified by the DBP and SHH signaling pathway. The assumption of a deficiency in the protective effect of vitamin D in patients with high-risk BCCs was proposed in low DBP and high SHH tissue indices. New extensions to existing knowledge and characterization of the BCC signaling pathways and their cross-talk with vitamin D are warranted when searching for a preferential effect of vitamin D on skin cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vitamin D and Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers: Results from the SUN (‘Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra’) Project

by Rodrigo Sánchez-Bayona, Maira Bes-Rastrollo, Cesar I. Fernández-Lázaro, Maite Bastyr, Ainhoa Madariaga, Juan J. Pons, Miguel A. Martínez-González and Estefanía Toledo

Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132561 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2107

Abstract

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of several types of cancer, grouped as obesity-related cancers (ORC). Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in obese subjects, and it has been suggested to play a role in the association between obesity and cancer risk. [...] Read more.

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of several types of cancer, grouped as obesity-related cancers (ORC). Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in obese subjects, and it has been suggested to play a role in the association between obesity and cancer risk. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between vitamin D intake and the subsequent risk of ORC in a prospective Spanish cohort of university graduates. The SUN Project, initiated in 1999, is a prospective dynamic multipurpose cohort. Participants answered a 556-item lifestyle baseline questionnaire that included a validated food-frequency questionnaire. We performed Cox regression models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of ORC according to quartiles of energy-adjusted vitamin D intake (diet and supplements). We included 18,017 participants (mean age = 38 years, SD = 12 years), with a median follow-up of 12 years. Among 206,783 person-years of follow-up, we identified 225 cases of ORC. We found no significant associations between vitamin D intake and ORC risk after adjusting for potential confounders: HR_Q2vsQ1 = 1.19 (95% CI 0.81–1.75), HR_Q3vsQ1 = 1.20 (95% CI 0.81–1.78), and HR_Q4vsQ1 = 1.02 (95% CI 0.69–1.51). Dietary and supplemented vitamin D do not seem to be associated with ORC prevention in the middle-aged Spanish population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Phase II Multicenter Trial on High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation for the Correction of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy

by Elodie Chartron, Nelly Firmin, Célia Touraine, Angélique Chapelle, Eric Legouffe, Lobna Rifai, Stéphane Pouderoux, Lise Roca, Véronique D’Hondt and William Jacot

Nutrients 2021, 13(12), 4429; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124429 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2796

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) treatments induce vitamin D (VD) insufficiency and bone metabolism changes, resulting in osteoporosis and skeletal morbidity risk. We report the results of a bicentric phase II trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04091178) on the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral VD supplementation [...] Read more.

Breast cancer (BC) treatments induce vitamin D (VD) insufficiency and bone metabolism changes, resulting in osteoporosis and skeletal morbidity risk. We report the results of a bicentric phase II trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04091178) on the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral VD supplementation for VD deficiency correction in 44 patients with early BC treated with adjuvant chemotherapies. Patients received one dose of 100,000 IU 25-OH VD every 3 weeks from day 1 of cycle 1 to day 1 of cycle 5. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving serum 25-OH VD concentration normalization on day 1 of cycle 6 (D1C6). Secondary endpoints were safety, VD and calcium parameters at baseline and during chemotherapy, and identification of predictive biomarkers of VD normalization on D1C6. On D1C6, 21 patients (47.7%, 95% CI: 33.0–62.8) achieved VD normalization. No VD-related clinical toxicity was reported. However, 13 patients (29.5%) presented asymptomatic grade 1 hypercalciuria, leading to interruption of the high-dose oral VD supplementation in 10, followed by a rapid reduction in serum VD concentration. No baseline clinical factor was predictive of VD normalization on D1C6. This high-dose VD supplementation appears safe and efficient in patients with early BC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevention of Advanced Cancer by Vitamin D₃ Supplementation: Interaction by Body Mass Index Revisited

by Hermann Brenner, Sabine Kuznia, Clarissa Laetsch, Tobias Niedermaier and Ben Schöttker

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051408 - 22 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2296

Abstract

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated a protective effect of vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) supplementation against cancer mortality. In the VITAL study, a RCT including 25,871 men ≥ 50 years and women ≥ 55 years, protective effects of vitamin D₃ [...] Read more.

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated a protective effect of vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) supplementation against cancer mortality. In the VITAL study, a RCT including 25,871 men ≥ 50 years and women ≥ 55 years, protective effects of vitamin D₃ supplementation (2000 IU/day over a median of 5.3 years) with respect to incidence of any cancer and of advanced cancer (metastatic cancer or cancer death) were seen for normal-weight participants but not for overweight or obese participants. We aimed to explore potential reasons for this apparent variation of vitamin D effects by body mass index. We conducted complementary analyses of published data from the VITAL study on the association of body weight with cancer outcomes, stratified by vitamin D₃ supplementation. Significantly increased risks of any cancer and of advanced cancer were seen among normal-weight participants compared to obese participants in the control group (relative risk (RR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.52, and RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.04–1.97, respectively). No such patterns were seen in the intervention group. Among those with incident cancer, vitamin D₃ supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of advanced cancer (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74–0.99). The observed patterns point to pre-diagnostic weight loss of cancer patients and preventive effects of vitamin D₃ supplementation from cancer progression as plausible explanations for the body mass index (BMI)—intervention interactions. Further research, including RCTs more comprehensively exploring the potential of adjuvant vitamin D therapy for cancer patients, should be pursued with priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

32 pages, 1836 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention: Gaps in Current Knowledge and Room for Hope

by Matthias Henn, Victor Martin-Gorgojo and Jose M. Martin-Moreno

Nutrients 2022, 14(21), 4512; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214512 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4027

Abstract

Intensive epigenome and transcriptome analyses have unveiled numerous biological mechanisms, including the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and induced apoptosis in neoplastic cells, as well as the modulation of the antineoplastic action of the immune system, which plausibly explains the observed population-based relationship [...] Read more.

Intensive epigenome and transcriptome analyses have unveiled numerous biological mechanisms, including the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and induced apoptosis in neoplastic cells, as well as the modulation of the antineoplastic action of the immune system, which plausibly explains the observed population-based relationship between low vitamin D status and increased cancer risk. However, large randomized clinical trials involving cholecalciferol supplementation have so far failed to show the potential of such interventions in cancer prevention. In this article, we attempt to reconcile the supposed contradiction of these findings by undertaking a thorough review of the literature, including an assessment of the limitations in the design, conduct, and analysis of the studies conducted thus far. We examine the long-standing dilemma of whether the beneficial effects of vitamin D levels increase significantly above a critical threshold or if the conjecture is valid that an increase in available cholecalciferol translates directly into an increase in calcitriol activity. In addition, we try to shed light on the high interindividual epigenetic and transcriptomic variability in response to cholecalciferol supplementation. Moreover, we critically review the standards of interpretation of the available study results and propose criteria that could allow us to reach sound conclusions in this field. Finally, we advocate for options tailored to individual vitamin D needs, combined with a comprehensive intervention that favors prevention through a healthy environment and responsible health behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 728 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Controversial Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Cancer Prevention

by Ana Palanca, Francisco Javier Ampudia-Blasco and José T. Real

Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2593; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132593 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2693

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and exhibits rising incidence. Annual incidence varies by sex, age, and geographical location. It has been reported that impairment of vitamin D signalling promotes thyroid cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D, a [...] Read more.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and exhibits rising incidence. Annual incidence varies by sex, age, and geographical location. It has been reported that impairment of vitamin D signalling promotes thyroid cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as both a nutrient and a hormone, may have utility in the prevention of autoimmune thyroid-related diseases. However, the precise role of vitamin D in the pathobiology of thyroid cancer is controversial. Previous studies have suggested that elevated serum vitamin D levels have a protective role in thyroid cancer. However, there is also evidence demonstrating no inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of thyroid cancer. Furthermore, recent data provide evidence that circulating vitamin D concentration is inversely correlated with disease aggressiveness and poor prognosis, while evidence of an association with tumour initiation remains weak. Nevertheless, a variety of data support an anti-tumorigenic role of vitamin D and its potential utility as a secondary chemopreventive agent. In this review, we highlighted recent findings regarding the association of vitamin D status with the risk of thyroid cancer, prognosis, potential mechanisms, and possible utility as a chemopreventive agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vitamin D and Skin Cancer: An Epidemiological, Patient-Centered Update and Review

by Alejandro Martin-Gorgojo, Yolanda Gilaberte and Eduardo Nagore

Nutrients 2021, 13(12), 4292; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124292 - 28 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4347

Abstract

Background: The current vitamin D deficiency epidemic is accompanied by an increase in endemic skin cancer. There are still multiple controversies. This review aims to give practical recommendations regarding vitamin D among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. [...] Read more.

Background: The current vitamin D deficiency epidemic is accompanied by an increase in endemic skin cancer. There are still multiple controversies. This review aims to give practical recommendations regarding vitamin D among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Methods: Narrative review including human research articles published between 2011 and 2021, elaborated bearing in mind an epidemiological, patient-centered approach. Results: Ultraviolet (UV) exposure (neither artificial nor natural) is not the ideal source to synthesize vitamin D. There is conflicting epidemiological evidence regarding vitamin D, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and cutaneous melanoma (CMM), confounded by the effect of sun exposure and other factors. Conclusions: Current evidence is controversial, and there are no widely applicable strategies. We propose three practical recommendations. Firstly, sun protection recommendations should be kept among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Secondly, vitamin D should preferably be sourced through diet. In patients with melanoma or at risk of cutaneous cancer, serum vitamin D checks are warranted to detect and avoid its insufficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI