Vitamin D Inflammation and Cancer

Abstract Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis, modulates the adaptive and innate immune system, and has cancer preventive and therapeutic actions in an endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine fashion. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 regulates numerous signaling pathways involved in induction of differentiation, inhibition of proliferation and angiogenesis, activation of apoptosis, and repression of invasion and metastasis resulting in inhibition of tumor growth. Vitamin D has antimicrobial and antiinflammatory effects. The capacity of vitamin D to inhibit inflammation also contributes to its antitumorigenic effect, as chronic inflammation is a major determinant of several cancers. Numerous chronic inflammatory diseases, such as pancreatitis, colitis, and hepatitis, are recognized risk factors for cancer of the pancreas, colon, and liver. Anticancer properties of vitamin D are most efficient in colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. The present chapter systematically explores the role of vitamin D in inflammation and inflammation-related cancer, focusing on cancers of the colon, prostate, breast, pancreas, and liver.