Mechanistic Effects of Calcitriol in Cancer Biology

Nutrients. 2015 Jun 19;7(6):5020-50. doi: 10.3390/nu7065020.

Abstract

Besides its classical biological effects on calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, calcitriol, the active vitamin D metabolite, has a broad variety of actions including anticancer effects that are mediated either transcriptionally and/or via non-genomic pathways. In the context of cancer, calcitriol regulates the cell cycle, induces apoptosis, promotes cell differentiation and acts as anti-inflammatory factor within the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we address the different mechanisms of action involved in the antineoplastic effects of calcitriol.

Keywords: calcitriol; cancer; inflammation; oncogenesis; vitamin D deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Calcitriol / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Calcitriol