Vitamin D in Digestive Neoplasms: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence
8 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- 2Center of Innovation and eHealth, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- 3Romanian Academy of Scientists, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- 4Gastroenterology Department, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
- 5Ana Aslan National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 011241 Bucharest, Romania
- 6Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
- 7Research Institute of University of Bucharest (ICUB), University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
- 8eBio-Hub Centre of Excellence in Bioengineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Digestive neoplasms represent a major global health burden, accounting for a substantial proportion of cancer incidence and mortality. Increasing attention has been directed toward modifiable factors that may influence both the onset and progression of these malignancies. Among them, vitamin D has emerged as a potential protective factor, with deficiency frequently associated with elevated risk and unfavorable prognosis in gastrointestinal cancers. This review critically examines the current evidence regarding the role of vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) in digestive tumorigenesis. Beyond its classical function in calcium and bone homeostasis, vitamin D exerts pleiotropic effects on cellular processes fundamental to carcinogenesis, including regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, immune modulation and genomic stability. Experimental studies demonstrate that adequate vitamin D status or administration of its analogues may suppress tumor growth and enhance responsiveness to conventional therapies. Epidemiological and clinical data, however, remain inconsistent across cancer subtypes, geographic populations and methods of vitamin D assessment. The analysis underscores the need for standardized evaluation of vitamin D levels, elucidation of dose–response relationships and clarification of interactions with genetic polymorphisms and environmental exposures. Future large-scale, randomized controlled trials are essential to establish causality and to define the optimal role of vitamin D in prevention and treatment strategies. Taken together, current findings support the hypothesis that vitamin D may serve not only as a biomarker of prognosis but also as a promising adjunctive approach in the management of digestive neoplasms.
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BibTeX
@article{treteanu2026vitamin,
title = {{Vitamin D in Digestive Neoplasms: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence}},
author = {Andreea-Ramona Treteanu and Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu and Alexandru Constantinescu and Ovidiu Lucian Băjenaru and Cătălina Raluca Nuță and Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru and Octavian Andronic},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209343},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9343},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Vitamin D in Digestive Neoplasms: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence
AU - Andreea-Ramona Treteanu
AU - Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu
AU - Alexandru Constantinescu
AU - Ovidiu Lucian Băjenaru
AU - Cătălina Raluca Nuță
AU - Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru
AU - Octavian Andronic
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209343
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9343
AB - Digestive neoplasms represent a major global health burden, accounting for a substantial proportion of cancer incidence and mortality. Increasing attention has been directed toward modifiable factors that may influence both the onset and progression of these malignancies. Among them, vitamin D has emerged as a potential protective factor, with deficiency frequently associated with elevated risk and unfavorable prognosis in gastrointestinal cancers. This review critically examines the current evidence regarding the role of vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) in digestive tumorigenesis. Beyond its classical function in calcium and bone homeostasis, vitamin D exerts pleiotropic effects on cellular processes fundamental to carcinogenesis, including regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, immune modulation and genomic stability. Experimental studies demonstrate that adequate vitamin D status or administration of its analogues may suppress tumor growth and enhance responsiveness to conventional therapies. Epidemiological and clinical data, however, remain inconsistent across cancer subtypes, geographic populations and methods of vitamin D assessment. The analysis underscores the need for standardized evaluation of vitamin D levels, elucidation of dose–response relationships and clarification of interactions with genetic polymorphisms and environmental exposures. Future large-scale, randomized controlled trials are essential to establish causality and to define the optimal role of vitamin D in prevention and treatment strategies. Taken together, current findings support the hypothesis that vitamin D may serve not only as a biomarker of prognosis but also as a promising adjunctive approach in the management of digestive neoplasms.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -