BIOCHEMISTRY OF VITAMIN D AND ITS ROLE AGAINST CANCER

One of the types of fat soluble vitamins, vitamin D, is a family of compounds consisting of 9-10 Secosteroids. These are classified into five different forms two of which are found naturally- vitamin D2 (photo chemically synthesized in plants) and D3 (synthesized in animal and human skin). Sources of such vitamin include dietary components and exposure to sunlight and the functions are carried out through the vitamin’s interaction with its receptors in the body as it participates in several mechanisms in the form of different analogs of itself. The aim of this review is to better understand the mechanism of the vitamin D receptors and various analogs of the vitamin D as well as its role against different types of cancers. Receptors of vitamin D have been isolated that are involved in various regulatory processes which extend beyond classic functions of the hormone like vitamin. Several analogs of this vitamin have been discovered throughout the years which have shown to have role against different types of diseases including cardiovascular, autoimmune, inflammatory diseases and most importantly, cancers. Mechanism of anticancer action of the hormone like fat soluble vitamin has also been studied and it has helped to identify a molecular link between the vitamin and prevention and regression of colorectal, prostate, breast and colon cancer as well as multiple myeloma which might lead to the conclusion that supplementation of vitamin D, in the correct amount might have a role of great importance in the prevention of cancer.