The Controversial Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Cancer Prevention.

Autores de INCLIVA

• Ana Palanca Palanca

  Autor

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  Javier Ampudia Blasco

  Autor

• 

  Jose Tomas Real Collado

  Autor

Grupos y Plataformas de I+D+i

• Grupo de Investigación sobre Riesgo Cardiometabólico y Diabetes

  

  Leading Researcher

  Sergio Martinez Hervas

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and exhibits rising incidence. Annual incidence varies by sex, age, and geographical location. It has been reported that impairment of vitamin D signalling promotes thyroid cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as both a nutrient and a hormone, may have utility in the prevention of autoimmune thyroid-related diseases. However, the precise role of vitamin D in the pathobiology of thyroid cancer is controversial. Previous studies have suggested that elevated serum vitamin D levels have a protective role in thyroid cancer. However, there is also evidence demonstrating no inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of thyroid cancer. Furthermore, recent data provide evidence that circulating vitamin D concentration is inversely correlated with disease aggressiveness and poor prognosis, while evidence of an association with tumour initiation remains weak. Nevertheless, a variety of data support an anti-tumorigenic role of vitamin D and its potential utility as a secondary chemopreventive agent. In this review, we highlighted recent findings regarding the association of vitamin D status with the risk of thyroid cancer, prognosis, potential mechanisms, and possible utility as a chemopreventive agent.

Keywords

• anti-tumorigenic; prevention; thyroid cancer; vitamin D