Role of Vitamin D in Colorectal Cancer: A Holistic Approach and Review of the Clinical Utility

Abstract

Vitamin D is well known for its effects on the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus. Lately, considerable research has brought the extra-skeletal role of vitamin D under the spotlight, including its anti-cancer activity. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most extensively studied neoplasia that has been observed to be affected by vitamin D; the list includes breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. This review aims to shine a light on the influence of vitamin D over CRC and to further understand its ability to be used as a potential economical treatment for CRC patients. For this review, PubMed was used as the main database for the literature search. Studies on the role of vitamin D on CRC within 10 years and all of the study types were included. Post the extensive research over PubMed, it was noted that vitamin D, through its effect on multiple pathways, especially Wnt/β-catenin, apoptosis, and inflammation, hinders the progression of CRC carcinogenesis. High levels of this steroid hormone can delay the progression and may provide a cost-effective way of treating CRC patients. Further research and additional human trials are still due to bring about more knowledge on this topic. In conclusion, high serum levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of incidence and progression of CRC.

Vitamin D and Colorectal Cancer: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

“…This appears to be dependent on expression of the VDR. Calcitriol promotes VDR/β-catenin binding, reduces the amount of β-catenin bound to TCF, induces expression of the CDH1 gene encoding E-cadherin (which sequesters β-catenin), and increases extracellular expression of the Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 [ 19 , 34 - 38 ].…”

“…Vitamin D exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by interfering with the synthesis of prostaglandins, stress-activated kinase signaling, and production of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as acting as a potent inhibitor of tumor cell-induced angiogenesis, inhibiting stress-activated kinase signaling, and inducing mitogen-activated protein kinase, all of which have an anti-cancer effect. Vitamin D-activated maternally expressed gene 3 ( MEG3 ) suppresses glycolysis in CRC by promoting degradation of c-Myc [ 8 , 37 , 42 , 43 ]. The anti-cancer effects mediated by Vitamin D signaling are illustrated in Figure 2 .…”

Reviewing the Significance of Vitamin D Substitution in Monoclonal Gammopathies

“…The confinement associated with the global pandemic has certainly played a key role in determining the serum VitD levels of patients with COVID-19 infection and solid neoplasms, such as colorectal, breast, lung, ovarian, bladder, prostate, and thyroid cancer. VitD levels, in addition to VRD polymorphisms, have proven to impact the outcomes of these patients [ 35 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. However, studies have found contrasting results.…”

Preclinical Researches of Vitamin D Role in Preventing Malignant Diseased, a Systematic Review

“…Vitamin D and its analogues are potent inhibitors of colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. Some recent studies have defined the intersections between the β -catenin-TCF pathway (a known contributor to colorectal cancer progression) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) pathway, shedding light on the basic mechanisms, [46,47,48].…”