Received 14 May 2007; accepted 6 January 2009. published online 12 March 2009.
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.
Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
Address correspondence to: Kathleen M. Egan, ScD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr., MRC 2nd Floor, Tampa, FL 33612. Tel.: (813) 745-6149; fax: (813) 745-6525.
ABSTRACT