Endocrine Abstracts

Recent studies have highlighted a role for vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), is a potent antiproliferative/proapoptotic agent and its nuclear receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR) is well expressed in breast tissue. We have investigated whether or not VDR signalling in breast tumours is due to systemic (renal) 1,25D3 or, as with oestrogens, there is local sy...

Prostate and breast cancers remain common causes of cancer related deaths in the UK. The majority of cases appear to be of a multifactorial aetiology that includes a genetic component. It has been suggested that low levels of circulating 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 are associated with an increased risk of both breast and prostate cancer. A number of polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been identified resulting in differing genotypes that may alter s...