Vitamin D: Possible Therapeutic Roles in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Loading...
Date
2021-05-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Front. Oncol
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a unique type of liver cancer instigated by underlying
liver diseases. Pre-clinical evidence suggests that HCC progression, like other cancers,
could be aided by vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a lipid-soluble hormone usually
obtained through sunlight. Vitamin D elucidates its biological responses by binding the
vitamin D receptor; thus, promoting skeletal mineralization, and maintain calcium
homeostasis. Other reported Vitamin D functions include specific roles in proliferation,
angiogenesis, apoptosis, inflammation, and cell differentiation. This review highlighted
studies on vitamin D’s functional roles in HCC and discussed the specific therapeutic
targets from various in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies over the years. Furthermore, it
described recent advancements in vitamin D’s anticancer effects and its metabolizing
enzymes’ roles in HCC development. In summary, the review elucidated specific vitamin
D-associated target genes that play critical functions in the inhibition of tumorigenesis
through inflammation, oxidative stress, invasion, and apoptosis in HCC progression.
Description
Keywords
vitamin D, therapeutic, inflammation, apoptosis, differentiation, proliferation, hepatocellular carcinom, Nigeria, ACE: Applied Informatics and Communication, Covenant University, Digital Development