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Vitamin D May Fight Prostate Cancer
Feb. 10, 2006 -- A powerful form of vitamin D may help treat prostate cancer, according to a new study.
Researchers say the results suggest that getting a daily dose of the vitamin from milk, the sun, and a multivitamin may also help reduce invasion and spread of the deadly disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 230,000 new cases in American men this year.
But researchers warn against taking large amounts of vitamin D without medical supervision. The vitamin D used in the study (1alpha,25-hydroxyvitamin D3) is the most potent and active form of vitamin D in the human body.
"This high dose has some side effects, including increasing blood calcium levels and causing kidney problems," says Edward M. Messing, MD, chair of urology at University of Rochester Medical Center, where the study was conducted, in a news release. "It should not be taken without prescription and a physician monitoring the side effects."
Vitamin D May Help Treatment
In the study, published in Carcinogenesis, researchers examined the effects of high doses of vitamin D that worked against the "invasive ability" of prostate cancer cells tested in a laboratory.
Their results showed that vitamin D limited the activity of two enzymes involved in prostate cancer spread.
Researchers say the findings indicate adding vitamin D to standard prostate cancer treatment may help men with advanced prostate cancer.
"We wanted to know the targets of vitamin D so we would know which patients would respond better," says researcher Yi-Fen Lee, PhD, assistant professor of urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in the release.
Lee says other medicines or vitamins may also help enhance the anticancer effects of vitamin D. But until further research confirms these findings, he says, "the best way to get vitamin D is to drink milk, get modest exposure to the sun, and take a vitamin pill to enrich the vitamin D, which might prevent cancer."
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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.
