Vitamin D and skin cancer.
Vitamin D signaling plays a key role in many important processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, immune regulation, hormone secretion and skeletal health. Furthermore, vitamin D production and supplementation have been shown to exert protective effects via an unknown signaling mechanism involving the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in several diseases and cancer types, including skin cancer. With over 3.5 million new diagnoses in 2 million patients annually, skin cancer is the most common cancer type in the United States. While ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is the main etiologic factor for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), UVB also induces cutaneous vitamin D production. This paradox has been the subject of contradictory findings in the literature in regards to amount of sun exposure necessary for appropriate vitamin D production, as well as any beneficial or detrimental effects of vitamin D supplementation for disease prevention. Further clinical and epidemiological studies are necessary to elucidate the role of vitamin D in skin carcinogenesis.
Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
Erin M
EM
Burns
Craig A
CA
Elmets
Nabiha
N
Yusuf
D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D