Death from melanoma (without ulcers) greatly decreased if have lots of vitamin D receptors – May 2014

Decreased VDR Expression in Cutaneous Melanomas as Marker of Tumor Progression: New Data and Analyses

ANNA A. BROŻYNA1⇑, WOJCIECH JÓŹWICKI1 and ANDRZEJ T. SLOMINSKI2,3⇑
1Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre, Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
3Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
Correspondence to: Anna A. Brożyna, Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre, Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk, Memorial Hospital, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Romanowska Str. 2, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland. Tel: +48 523743337, Fax: +48 523743250, e-mail: anna.brozyna at cm.umk.pl and Andrzej Slominski, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, U.S.A. Tel: +1 9014483741, Fax: +1 9014486979, e-mail: aslominski at uthsc.edu

Background: Vitamin D3, acting via vitamin D receptor (VDR) affects a wide range of biological activities, including inhibition of proliferation and angiogenesis, with net antitumor effects. VDR expression is disturbed in many tumors, including melanomas.

Aim: To find correlation between VDR expression in melanomas and prognostic biomarkers. Materials and Methods:
VDR was analyzed immunohistochemically in 69 cutaneous melanomas in relation to prognostic factors.

Results: Less advanced melanomas showed significantly higher VDR expression than the advanced stages.
The presence of other markers such as ulceration and lack or non-brisk tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was accompanied by significantly lower VDR expression. VDR expression also affected overall survival (OS) with most noticeable effect in the cases without ulceration.

Conclusion: High VDR expression determines a less malignant phenotype and is related to better prognosis.
Loss of VDR expression affects melanoma tumor behavior, allowing for progression of disease.
VDR expression can also serve as a prognostic marker in routine histopathology evaluation.

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Less death of melanoma without ulcers if have lots of VDR

The thinner the melanoma, the less ulceration

Melanoma Stage I Cancer.gov

Melanoma Stage II Cancer.gov

See also VitaminDWiki

• Overview Suntan, melanoma and vitamin D
• 2,776 vitamin D receptor binding sites - April 2014
• Melanoma risk 2X to 4X higher if Vitamin D receptor genes had morphed – March 2014
• Vitamin D receptor may suppress skin cancer – Dec 2013
• All items in category Vitamin D Receptor 530 items