Researchers involved in a 2009 found that increasing serum levels of vitamin D may improve the prognosis for breast cancer patients. Although little is known about the exact mechanisms, emerging evidence suggests a particular protein sequence may be involved.
Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Prevention
The Lancet medical journal reported in 1989 that the most active form of vitamin D calcitriol, significantly slowed the growth of breast cancer in animals. Calcitriol stopped the growth of breast cancer by regulating cell cycles. Vitamin D may contribute to apoptosis (cell death) by helping cells resist signals from substances that cause cancer cells to grow, inhibiting invasion into normal tissue and preventing metastasis. D may also prevent the formation of excessive blood vessel growth around the cancerous tumor, a process referred to as anti-angiogenesis.
Researchers from St. Georges Hospital Medical School in London found women with tumors receptive to vitamin D went longer without a disease recurrence than women with tumors without receptors for vitamin D.
A crucial chain of vitamin D events must however, occur to decrease breast cancer cell growth. The vitamin D receptor is only present in breast tissue if calcitriol has been present, which occurs if vitamin D's less-active form, calcidiol, has also been present. Breast cancer patients, some scientists believe, likely have very few vitamin D receptors, as such, treating D deficiency may increase the D receptors in their body and inhibit breast cancer cell growth.
Vitamin D Stimulates Protein to Inhibit Breast Cancer Cell Growth
While prior studies have linked calcitriol to lowering the growth of breast cancer cells, the molecular mechanisms behind this finding were largely unknown. A study published in February 2009 from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey found that calcitriol stimulates the production of a tumor suppressing protein that can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Vitamin D induces the enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha).
“These results provide an important process in which the active form of vitamin D may work to reduce growth of breast cancer cells,” said researcher Sylvia Christakos, Ph.D. “These studies provide a basis for the design of new anticancer agents that can target the protein as a candidate for breast cancer treatment,” said Christakos.
Increasing Vitamin D & Dosing
Despite the name, vitamin D isn't a vitamin; it's a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes in the body. D, research suggests, may exhibit a positive effect on bone health, immunity, cancer prevention and inflammation. Vitamin D however, isn't readily available in most foods; it's made in large quantities when sunlight strikes bare skin. A deficiency is more common in the winter months when sunlight is less available and is more prevalent today due to the increased use of suncreen in the last several decades due the public's concern over skin cancer.
Vitamin D deficiency in American teens is common. One study indicates that only 25 percent of more than 3,500 teenagers ages 12 to 19 had levels higher than 26 ng/ml, and 25 percent had levels lower than 15 ng/ml which is severely deficient. The Vitamin D Council reccomends an optimal level of vitamin D between 50-65 ng/ml, substationally higher than the conventional recommendation of 30 ng/m.
“If you use suntan parlors once a week,” says Dr. Cannell, MD, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council, “or if you live in Florida and sunbathe once a week, year-round, do nothing.” However, if you receive very little UVB exposure the Council recommends the following dosing levels of D3 for healthy adults and children:
- healthy children under the age of 2 - 1,000 IU per day*
- healthy children over the age of 2 - 2,000 IU per day*
- adults and adolescents - 5,000 IU per day.
*The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 mg per day for children.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Disease
Vitamin D continues to make health science headlines as some researchers link widespread deficiency to a long list of syndromes and diseases. The Vitamin D council website writes that VDDS, or Vitamin D Deficiency Syndrome, is "the aggregate of symptoms and signs associated with the morbid process of vitamin D deficiency, and constitute together the picture of the disease. " While researchers don't suggest a D deficiency directly causes the following or that elevating levels is a cure, an association between vitamin D deficiency and the following has been shown:
- osteoporosis
- heart disease
- hypertension
- autoimmune diseases
- certain cancers
- depression
- chronic fatigue
- chronic pain
As scientists continue to study the effects of vitamin D on breast cancer patients, a growing body of research suggests elevating vitamin D levels may assist in treating breast cancer and decrease the likelihood of a recurrence. Findings may also lead to the development of new anticancer drugs. While further research needs to be conducted support the use of vitamin D for breast cancer prevention and relapse, findings indicate that elevating vitamin D to optimal levels may prevent breast cancer in some healthy women.
Sources:
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) (2009, February 5), "Vitamin D Found To Stimulate A Protein That Inhibits The Growth Of Breast Cancer Cells," ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
Colston KW, Berger U, Coombes RC, "Possible role for vitamin D in controlling breast cancer cell proliferation," Lancet, Jan 28, 1989.
Dhawan P, Wieder, R, Christakos, S,"CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha is a molecular target of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells," Journal of Biological Chemistry, Jan 30, 2009.
Dr. J.J. Cannell, Executive Director Vitamin D Council, "Vitamin D and Breast Cancer," June 4, 2006.http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/cancerBreast.shtml
Laura Owens - Laura Owens has a B.S. in Psychology from Rollins College & U of FL. She is a freelance writer with expertise in motivation & wellness.
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