Abstract
It has been more than 100 years when it was first appreciated that increased sun exposure reduced risk of dying of cancer. The most beneficial effect of sun exposure is the production of vitamin D in the skin. Recent evidence suggests that most cells in the body not only have a vitamin D receptor but also have the capacity to convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Once formed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can inhibit cellular proliferation, induce cellular maturation, inhibit angiogenesis and ultimately cause apoptosis to prevent malignancy. A multitude of studies have associated improved vitamin D status with decreased risk for developing several deadly cancers including colon, breast, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Patients with cancer are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency. Sensible sun exposure, vitamin D fortification and vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged to improve the vitamin D status of children and adults not only for bone health but for reducing risk of developing and dying of cancer. The goal is to achieve a blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 40-60 ng/mL. This can be accomplished by children taking 600-1000 and adults 1500-2000 international units (IU) vitamin D daily from diet and supplements along with sensible sun exposure when the sun is capable of producing vitamin D in the skin.
Keywords: Vitamin D, Sunlight, Cancer, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, solar ultraviolet B, 7-dehydrocholesterol, yeast, calcium homeostasis, hypercalcemia
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Vitamin D, Sunlight and Cancer Connection
Volume: 13 Issue: 1
Author(s): Michael F. Holick
Affiliation:
Keywords: Vitamin D, Sunlight, Cancer, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, solar ultraviolet B, 7-dehydrocholesterol, yeast, calcium homeostasis, hypercalcemia
Abstract: It has been more than 100 years when it was first appreciated that increased sun exposure reduced risk of dying of cancer. The most beneficial effect of sun exposure is the production of vitamin D in the skin. Recent evidence suggests that most cells in the body not only have a vitamin D receptor but also have the capacity to convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Once formed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can inhibit cellular proliferation, induce cellular maturation, inhibit angiogenesis and ultimately cause apoptosis to prevent malignancy. A multitude of studies have associated improved vitamin D status with decreased risk for developing several deadly cancers including colon, breast, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Patients with cancer are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency. Sensible sun exposure, vitamin D fortification and vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged to improve the vitamin D status of children and adults not only for bone health but for reducing risk of developing and dying of cancer. The goal is to achieve a blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 40-60 ng/mL. This can be accomplished by children taking 600-1000 and adults 1500-2000 international units (IU) vitamin D daily from diet and supplements along with sensible sun exposure when the sun is capable of producing vitamin D in the skin.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
F. Holick Michael, Vitamin D, Sunlight and Cancer Connection, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611307010070
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611307010070 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Anticancer Advances of Matrine and Its Derivatives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Naphthalimides and Azonafides as Promising Anti-Cancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Possible Therapeutic Targets in Ductal Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma?
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Biodegradable Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Micelles for Treatment of Malignancy
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Effect of Intestinal Flora Clearance on Liver Proteomics in Mice
Current Proteomics Targeting the Type I Insulin-Like Growth Factor System for Breast Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Targets CXCR4 Receptor as a Promising Target for Oncolytic Drugs
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry A Review of Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bcl-2 Inhibitors: Emerging Drugs in Cancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Potential Therapeutic Advantages of Doxorubicin when Activated by Formaldehyde to Function as a DNA Adduct-Forming Agent
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Challenging the Current Approaches to Multiple Myeloma-Related Bone Disease: From Bisphosphonates to Target Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Cancer Gene Therapy through Autonomous Parvovirus - Mediated Gene Transfer
Current Gene Therapy Signal Transduction and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy: Biological Mechanisms, Biological Quality Assurance, and New Multimodality Approach
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Chemical Constituents and Biological Activity of Chinese Medicinal Herb ‘Xihuangcao’
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Rho GTPases: Promising Cellular Targets for Novel Anticancer Drugs
Current Cancer Drug Targets Drug-Related Cardiotoxicity for the Treatment of Haematological Malignancies in Elderly
Current Pharmaceutical Design Non-Classical Structures Among Current Platinum Complexes with Potential as Antitumor Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Glioma Targeting and Anti-glioma Effect of Interleukin 13 Peptide and RGD Peptide Dual Functionalized Nanoparticles
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibitors as Potential Anti-Angiogenic Agents for Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Viral Vectors for Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy
Current Gene Therapy