Recent developments in the use of vitamin D analogues.
The activated form of vitamin D3, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, not only plays a central role in bone and calcium metabolism, but also has potent antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects. Moreover, the combined presence of 25(OH)D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase, as well as the vitamin D receptor in several tissues introduced the idea of a paracrine role for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. By introducing chemical modifications into the flexible molecule 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, a whole generation of vitamin D analogues was created. Due to a clear dissociation of the antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects from calcaemic effects, these analogues can be used not only for the treatment of bone disorders but also for non-classical applications. In the present review, a summary is given on the use of the 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 analogues for the treatment of psoriasis, cancer and immune disorders together with new insights in the mechanism of action of these analogues.
Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Belgium.
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Verstuyf
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Segaert
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Verlinden
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K
Casteels
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R
Bouillon
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Mathieu
D000818:Animals; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol