Recent developments in the use of vitamin D analogues.

Abstract

The activated form of vitamin D3, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, not only plays a central role in bone and calcium metabolism, but also has potent antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects. Moreover, the combined presence of 25(OH)D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase, as well as the vitamin D receptor in several tissues introduced the idea of a paracrine role for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. By introducing chemical modifications into the flexible molecule 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, a whole generation of vitamin D analogues was created. Due to a clear dissociation of the antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects from calcaemic effects, these analogues can be used not only for the treatment of bone disorders but also for non-classical applications. In the present review, a summary is given on the use of the 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 analogues for the treatment of psoriasis, cancer and immune disorders together with new insights in the mechanism of action of these analogues.

• Authors: A Verstuyf, S Segaert, L Verlinden, K Casteels, R Bouillon, C Mathieu
• Journal: Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension (Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 397-403 (Jul 1998) ISSN: 1062-4821 [Print] England
• PMID: 9690038 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Vitamin D
• Calcitriol

Topics

• Animals
• Calcitriol (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Immune System (drug effects)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Pregnancy
• Skin Diseases (drug therapy)
• Vitamin D (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)