Vitamin D 'inhibits growth of breast cancer cells'

Washington, Feb 05 (ANI): In a new study, Calcitrol, the active form of vitamin D, has been found to induce a tumour suppressing protein that can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

Prior to the current study, little was known about the factors that determine the effect of calcitrol on inhibiting breast cancer growth.

During the study, Sylvia Chistakos, Ph.D., of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and co-author Puneet Dhawan, Ph.D., examined the protein involved in the action that can reduce the growth of vitamin D in breast cancer cells.

"These results provide an important process in which the active form of vitamin D may work to reduce growth of breast cancer cells," said Christakos.

"These studies provide a basis for the design of new anticancer agents that can target the protein as a candidate for breast cancer treatment," she added.

The study was published in the recent issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry. (ANI)