Vitamin D, Th17 Lymphocytes, and Breast Cancer

Abstract

Vitamin D3, which is well known to maintain calcium homeostasis, plays an important role in various cellular processes. It regulates the proliferation and differentiation of several normal cells, including immune and neoplastic cells, influences the cell cycle, and stimulates cell maturation and apoptosis through a mechanism dependent on the vitamin D receptor. The involvement of vitamin D3 in breast cancer development has been observed in numerous clinical studies. However, not all studies support the protective effect of vitamin D3 against the development of this condition. Furthermore, animal studies have revealed that calcitriol or its analogs may stimulate tumor growth or metastasis in some breast cancer models. It has been postulated that the effect of vitamin D3 on T helper (Th) 17 lymphocytes is one of the mechanisms promoting metastasis in these murine models. Herein we present a literature review on the existing data according to the interplay between vitamin D, Th17 cell and breast cancer. We also discuss the effects of this vitamin on Th17 lymphocytes in various disease entities known to date, due to the scarcity of scientific data on Th17 lymphocytes and breast cancer. The presented data indicate that the effect of vitamin D3 on breast cancer development depends on many factors, such as age, menopausal status, or obesity. According to that, more extensive clinical trials and studies are needed to assess the importance of vitamin D in breast cancer, especially when no correlations seem to be obvious.