Vitamin D in Childhood Cancer: A Promising Anticancer Agent?


Genc D. B., ÖZKAN M. H., Buyukgebiz A.

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY REVIEWS PER, vol.10, no.4, pp.485-493, 2013 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Journal Name: PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY REVIEWS PER
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.485-493
  • Keywords: Vitamin D, childhood cancer, prevention, treatment
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Children diagnosed and treated for cancer are vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency depending on many factors. The Vitamin D status in children with cancer has been mostly regarded as a contributory factor for skeletal pathologies so far. However, the calcitriol was found to promote cell differentiation, inhibit malignant proliferation, and exhibit anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic and antiangiogenic properties. In Addition to this, numerous epidemiological studies link Vitamin D and cancer and indicate to possible role of Vitamin D in cancer pathogenesis and progression. This article aims to provide an overview of the possible role of Vitamin D deficiency in childhood cancer in terms of prevention and treatment.