The promiscuous receptor.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D therapy in patients with asymptomatic, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-progression of prostate cancer.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer were treated with vitamin D. Vitamin D therapy was discontinued on disease progression as assessed by symptoms or serum PSA increase. The response to therapy was judged from changes in PSA level from the pretreatment baseline to 3 months after starting vitamin D therapy.


RESULTS
Of the 26 patients, five (20%) responded to vitamin D; the mean (range) reduction in PSA level was 45.3 (15.9-95.1)%, and mean duration of response was 4-5 months. Patients in whom the PSA level was stabilized, but not reduced, after vitamin D treatment had a duration of response of up to 36 months. Treatment was well tolerated and was not associated with elevation of serum calcium levels. There was no significant correlation between response to therapy and stage of disease, Gleason grade, previous treatments or PSA level at diagnosis or initiation of vitamin D therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D therapy is an effective and well tolerated treatment for patients with asymptomatic progressive prostate cancer, and is a useful addition to the therapeutic options.
Department of Oncology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Thomas E
TE
Newsom-Davis
Laura M
LM
Kenny
Sarah
S
Ngan
Judith
J
King
Jonathan
J
Waxman
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen