Vitamin D and melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
Ultraviolet light from sunlight and other sources is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma of the skin. Humans also derive most of their vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. This article reviews current evidence that vitamin D might play a preventive role in the development of melanoma or affect tumor aggressiveness or melanoma patient outcomes.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
The vitamin D receptor has been identified in normal melanocytes as well as melanoma cell lines and primary tissue. A few studies have demonstrated relationships of functional polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor with melanoma risk or tumor aggressiveness. Identifying an independent influence of vitamin D on melanoma risk is hampered by overwhelming confounding by the carcinogenic influence of ultraviolet radiation on skin melanocytes. Nonetheless an inverse association was suggested in a few studies with greater consumption of dairy foods or other dietary sources. Several lines of evidence are consistent with a potential influence for vitamin D on site-specific aggressiveness of skin melanomas, therapeutic response or patient survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional research is needed to determine whether vitamin D may have a preventive role in melanoma incidence or a salutary influence on melanoma patient outcome.
Egan
Kathleen M
KM
Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Kathleen.egan@Moffitt.org
D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D