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Review

Nature Reviews Cancer 3, 601–614 (1 August 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrc1144

Chemoprevention of colon cancer by calcium, vitamin D and folate: molecular mechanisms

Sergio A. Lamprecht & Martin Lipkin

Recent findings have indicated that dietary calcium, vitamin D and folate can modulate and inhibit colon carcinogenesis. Supporting evidence has been obtained from a wide variety of preclinical experimental studies, epidemiological findings and a few human clinical trials. Important molecular events and cellular actions of these micronutrients that contribute to their tumour-modulating effects are discussed. They include a complex series of signalling events that affect the structural and functional organization of colon cells.