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Vitamin D and prostate cancer risk: a review of the epidemiological literature

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 12, pages 215–226 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Prostate cells contain vitamin D receptors as well as enzymes necessary for vitamin D metabolism. Vitamin D metabolites have an antiproliferative and a pro-differentiating effect on prostate cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. As a result, there has been an emerging interest in the potential role of vitamin D in the etiology of prostate cancer. This review summarizes all available epidemiological literature on the association between dietary vitamin D, circulating levels of vitamin D and sunlight exposure in relation to prostate cancer risk. To place these studies in context, we also provide some background information on vitamin D, such as its dietary sources, metabolism, optimal levels, hypovitaminosis and relationship with the prostate.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Cancer Treatment Centers of America®.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Treatment Centers of America® at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Zion, IL, USA

    D Gupta, C A Lammersfeld, K Trukova & C G Lis

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  1. D Gupta
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  2. C A Lammersfeld
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  3. K Trukova
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  4. C G Lis
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Correspondence to D Gupta.

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Gupta, D., Lammersfeld, C., Trukova, K. et al. Vitamin D and prostate cancer risk: a review of the epidemiological literature. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 12, 215–226 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2009.7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2009.7

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