Vitamin D in cutaneous carcinogenesis: part II.
The role of vitamin D in health maintenance and disease prevention in fields ranging from bone metabolism to cancer is currently under intensive investigation. A number of epidemiologic studies have suggested that vitamin D may have a protective effect on cancer risk and cancer-associated mortality. With regard to skin cancer, epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggest that vitamin D and its metabolites may have a similar risk reducing effect. Potential mechanisms of action include inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway and upregulation of nucleotide excision repair enzymes. The key factor complicating the association between vitamin D and skin cancer is ultraviolet B radiation. The same spectrum of ultraviolet B radiation that catalyzes the production of vitamin D in the skin also causes DNA damage that can lead to epidermal malignancies. Part II of this continuing medical education article will summarize the literature on vitamin D and skin cancer to identify evidence-based optimal serum levels of vitamin D and to recommend ways of achieving those levels while minimizing the risk of skin cancer.
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 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
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D