Vitamin D and Melanoma

Purpose

Ultraviolet light from sunlight and other sources is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma of the skin. Humans also derive most of their vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. This article reviews current evidence that vitamin D might play a preventive role in the development of melanoma or affect tumor aggressiveness or melanoma patient outcomes.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

The vitamin D receptor has been identified in normal melanocytes as well as melanoma cell lines and primary tissue. A few studies have demonstrated relationships of functional polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor with melanoma risk or tumor aggressiveness. Identifying an independent influence of vitamin D on melanoma risk is hampered by overwhelming confounding by the carcinogenic influence of ultraviolet radiation on skin melanocytes. Nonetheless an inverse association was suggested in a few studies with greater consumption of dairy foods or other dietary sources. Several lines of evidence are consistent with a potential influence for vitamin D on site-specific aggressiveness of skin melanomas, therapeutic response or patient survival.

Conclusion

Additional research is needed to determine whether vitamin D may have a preventive role in melanoma incidence or a salutary influence on melanoma patient outcome.

Key Words: Melanoma, Nonmelanoma skin cancer, Vitamin D, Vitamin D receptor, VDR, UVB, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D

Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms: NMSC, nonmelanoma skin cancer, BCC, basal cell carcinoma, SCC, squamous cell carcinoma, UV, ultraviolet, VDR, vitamin D receptor