Biological actions of extra-renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase and implications for chemoprevention and treatment.

Kelly Townsend, Katie Evans, Moray Campbell, KW Colston, JS Adams, Martin Hewison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

124 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Vitamin D-activating enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-hydroxylase) is now known to be expressed in a much wider range of tissues that previously thought, suggesting a role for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), which is more in keeping with a cytokine than a hormone. In this capacity, the function of 1alpha-hydroxylase in tumors is far from clear. Studies from several groups including ours have shown altered expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase in different types of neoplasm including breast, prostate and colon cancers. However, functional analysis of Vitamin D metabolism in cancer is complicated by the heterogenous composition of tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis of breast tumors has shown that 1alpha-hydroxylase is expressed by both epithelial cells and by tumor-infiltrating macrophages, suggesting an immunomodulatory component to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) production in some types of cancer. The demonstration of 1alpha-hydroxylase activity in tumors and their equivalent normal tissues has implications for both the treatment and prevention of cancers. For example, in tumors chemotherapy options may include the use of non-1alpha-hydroxylated Vitamin D analogs to increase local concentrations of active metabolites without systemic side-effects. The role of 1alpha-hydroxylase in protection against cancer is likely to be more complicated and may involve anti-tumor immune responses.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-9
Number of pages7
JournalThe Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volume97
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2005

Keywords

  • tumors
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase
  • cancer

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