Vitamin D effect on growth and vitamin D metabolizing enzymes in triple-negative breast cancer

Anticancer Res. 2015 Feb;35(2):805-10.

Abstract

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that disproportionately affects women with darker skin. Epidemiological studies indicate that higher vitamin D levels prevent incidence of TNBC and translate to higher survival rates in those that have TNBC.

Materials and methods: The growth inhibition effects of two forms of vitamin D were assessed in MCF-7 and three TNBC lines using CellTiter-Glo. Expression of vitamin D-metabolizing enzymes was measured after vitamin D treatment by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: MCF-7 was growth inhibited by vitamin D at high concentrations but the TNBC lines were not. All cell lines demonstrated large increases in CYP24A1 mRNA levels under vitamin D treatment but there was little change in CYP27B1 or VDR mRNA levels.

Conclusion: These TNBC cell lines are resistant to growth inhibition by vitamin D. This could be due to large inactivation of vitamin D by CYP24A1 or by another mechanism.

Keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Breast cancer; CYP24A1; CYP27B1; triple-negative breast cancer; vitamin D; vitamin D receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Division / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vitamin D / metabolism
  • Vitamin D / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Vitamin D
  • CYP24A1 protein, human
  • Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase