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This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Vitamin D Compounds May Fight Prostate Cancer
Nov. 1, 2005 -- Vitamin D compounds may help slow or prevent prostate cancer, according to a new study.
The compounds are "promising" for preventing prostate cancers that are sensitive to male sex hormones (androgen), write the researchers.
The study was done on male mice, not people. More work is needed to probe the compound's cancer-fighting potential.
Focusing on Vitamin D
People can get vitamin D from dairy products or supplements. Their bodies also make vitamin D when sufficiently exposed to sunlight. It is necessary for normal bone development.
Calcitriol -- the active form of vitamin D -- is used to treat disorders including rickets (a vitamin D deficiency) and to regulate parathyroid hormone, which affects calcium levels in the blood.
Calcitriol has "potent anti-tumor activities," write the researchers, who included Adebusola Alagbala of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.
But the story isn't quite that simple.
Lab-Made Versions
Calcitriol increases the level of calcium in the blood. However, it may raise the blood's calcium level too high, which could lead to other dangers such as abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, and confusion. The effect of hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) from the calcitriol limits its ability to be used to fight cancer, write Alagbala and colleagues.
So scientists have made versions of calcitriol that don't affect the blood's calcium levels as much.
Alagbala's team studied calcitriol and a lab-made version of calcitriol (called "QW") in mice.
Their results were presented at Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, a meeting held by the American Association for Cancer Research.
Thwarting Prostate Cancer in Mice
The mice were genetically programmed to develop prostate cancer.
The mice got calcitriol, QW, or a fake drug three times weekly for 14 weeks. Calcitriol and QW both slowed the progression of prostate cancer in the mice, the researchers report.
Then, calcitriol was given to mice for a longer time -- up to 30 weeks. Calcitriol "markedly reduced tumor burden over time," write the researchers.
However, some mice experienced toxic side effects from calcitriol. Those side effects aren't detailed in the report.
A group of castrated mice was given calcitriol, QW, or the fake drug for 12 weeks.
In those mice, vitamin D compounds didn't slow, prevent, or affect prostate cancer development.
Castrated mice don't make sex hormones. That may mean that vitamin D compounds work against androgen-sensitive prostate cancers, write the researchers.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
