Page 112 - Vitamin D and Cancer

Chapter 5
Vitamin D and Angiogenesis

Yingyu Ma, Candace S. Johnson, and Donald L. Trump

Abstract Angiogenesis is a physiological process involving the formation of new
blood vessels from existing vessels. It is essential for the growth of primary tumor
and local tumor invasion and metastasis. This chapter reviews the general angio-
genesis process, the endogenous factors that regulate angiogenesis, and therapeutic
angiogenesis inhibitors. It also reviews the effect of vitamin D on angiogenesis.
Vitamin D receptor is detected on endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle
cells (VSMCs). 1,25D has anti-proliferative effects on tumor-derived endothelial
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cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Increasing evidence
supports an anti-angiogenic role of 1,25D in a number of in vivo tumor model sys-
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tems. However, vitamin D promotes angiogenesis in more physiological settings.
Besides endothelial cells, vitamin D affects the physiological functions and pathol-
ogy of VSMCs, including cell growth, contractility, motility, and the evolution of
vascular calcification, which are involved in cardiovascular diseases. In summary,
vitamin D plays important roles in vasculature and angiogenesis. Preclinical studies
support the anti-angiogenic effect and the use of 1,25D in cancer therapy.
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Keywords 1,25D (calcitriol) • Angiogenesis • Vasculature • Endothelial cells • Vascular
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smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)

C.S. Johnson (*)
Chair, Pharmacology & Therapeutics,
Roswell Park Cancer Institute,
Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
e-mail: candace.johnson@roswellpark.org

D.L. Trump and C.S. Johnson (eds.), Vitamin D and Cancer, 99
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-7188-3_5, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011