title: The effect of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the growth of soft-tissue sarcoma cells as mediated by the vitamin D receptor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Soft-tissue sarcomas, malignant neoplasms originating from mesenchymal tissue, are rare but highly aggressive tumors. Present modes of therapy are associated with high rates of recurrence. 1, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, the active metabolite of vitamin D, serves as a potent antiproliferative agent in human cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, six soft-tissue sarcoma cell lines were analyzed for vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression, which was then correlated with the degree of growth inhibition in response to 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These cell lines included rhabdomyosarcoma (HS729, A204), fibrosarcoma (HS913t), synovial sarcoma (SW982), liposarcoma (SW872), and leiomyosarcoma (SKLMS-1). The level of VDR messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was determined using a ribonuclease protection assay, and functional receptor content was determined by using a ligand-binding assay. Growth studies, including [3H]thymidine uptake and growth curves, were performed on two of the six cell lines that expressed the highest and lowest receptor levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ribonuclease protection and ligand-binding assays demonstrated variable levels of VDR, with HS729 showing high expression and A204 showing no expression. In HS729, [3H]thymidine uptake was significantly decreased at 10(-7) M (33%) and 10(-6) M (40%) 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Growth curve studies showed significant growth inhibition of 55% at 10(-6) M. A204 cells showed no growth inhibition upon treatment with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the existence of VDR in soft-tissue sarcoma cells and suggests a correlation between the level of VDR in cells and the degree of growth inhibition caused by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 which may potentially serve as an alternative form of therapy for soft-tissue sarcomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lombardi Cancer Research Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shabahang
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Buffan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nolla
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schumaker
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Buras
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nauta
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D002117:Calcitriol