Vitamin D in cutaneous carcinogenesis: part I.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a known risk factor for skin cancer but is also the principal means by which the body obtains vitamin D. Several studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a protective role in a variety of internal malignancies. With regard to skin cancer, epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggest that vitamin D and its metabolites may have a similar protective effect. These noncalcemic actions of vitamin D have called into question whether the current recommended intake of vitamin D is too low for optimal health and cancer prevention. Part I will review the role of vitamin D in the epidermis; part II will review the role of vitamin D in keratinocyte-derived tumors to help frame the discussion on the possible role of vitamin D in the prevention of skin cancer.
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. tangy@stanford.edu
Jean Y
JY
Tang
Teresa
T
Fu
Christopher
C
Lau
Dennis H
DH
Oh
Daniel D
DD
Bikle
Maryam M
MM
Asgari
D000818:Animals; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000502:physiology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000502:physiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D013472:Sunlight; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D002112:Calcifediol