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Year : 2011  |  Volume : 43  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 113--120

Vitamin D as a promising anticancer agent

Chandra Kanti Chakraborti 
 Department of Microbiology, Kanak Manjari Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rourkela, India

Correspondence Address:
Chandra Kanti Chakraborti
Department of Microbiology, Kanak Manjari Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rourkela
India

Presence of vitamin D receptors in noncalcemic tissues and subsequent identification of its involvement in growth factor(s)-mediated cellular function suggested its probable beneficial role in genesis, progression and survival of cancerous growths. Data collected from both in vitro and in vivo studies are highly optimistic regarding its potential in prevention and regression of colorectal, prostate and breast cancers. The vitamin has been found to interfere with the transduction pathways of various growth factor(s)-activated receptors (receptor tyrosine kinases) thereby modulating transcription and alteration of genomic functions resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenesis and facilitation of cell differentiation and apoptosis. It also increases the level of an endogenous protein - cystatin D, which possesses antitumor and antimetastatic property, by facilitation of the expression of the gene coding for it. Though not as a primary anticancer agent, this vitamin may be used for the prevention of cancer and included as an adjuvant in combination chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.


How to cite this article:
Chakraborti CK. Vitamin D as a promising anticancer agent.Indian J Pharmacol 2011;43:113-120


How to cite this URL:
Chakraborti CK. Vitamin D as a promising anticancer agent. Indian J Pharmacol [serial online] 2011 [cited 2023 Dec 4 ];43:113-120
Available from: https://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2011;volume=43;issue=2;spage=113;epage=120;aulast=Chakraborti;type=0