title: [Vitamin D anti-cancer activities: observations, doubts and certainties].
abstract: The importance of vitamin D in bone and phosphocalcic status is well recognized by the scientific and medical communities; however, recently identified properties of this cholesterol derived molecule, such as immunomodulator and anticancer activities, are yet discussed. Actually, the debate is not so much about the new vitamin D properties, but rather about the optimal concentration required to reach these properties. The difficulty in determining the norms is rendered even more complex by the existence of a vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism. The body pool of this vitamin depends essentially on its endogenous synthesis, but also on its dietary intakes. Many epidemiological studies interested in Vitamin D serum level and cancer suggest a relation between low Vitamin D level and cancer risk, especially in breast and colon adenocarcinomas. In vitro, many studies showed, in different human and animal malignant cell lines, that this molecule exerts anticancer activities: it induces apoptosis and cell differentiation as well as it inhibits proliferation and angiogenesis. This review tries to update the current knowledge on vitamin D and, more particularly, the potential interest of this molecule in cancer prevention and management.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castronovo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castronovo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikkels
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Peulen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D