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. 2010 Jul 15;1:101–107. doi: 10.7150/jca.1.101

Vitamin D in combination cancer treatment

Yingyu Ma 1, Donald L Trump 2, Candace S Johnson 1,✉
PMCID: PMC2938072  PMID: 20842231

Abstract

As a steroid hormone that regulates mineral homeostasis and bone metabolism, 1α, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) also has broad spectrum anti-tumor activities as supported by numerous epidemiological and experimental studies. Calcitriol potentiates the anti-tumor activities of multiple chemotherapeutics agents including DNA-damaging agents cisplatin, carboplatin and doxorubicin; antimetabolites 5-fluorouracil, cytarabine, hydroxyurea, cytarabine and gemcitabine; and microtubule-disturbing agents paclitaxel and docetaxel. Calcitriol elicits anti-tumor effects mainly through the induction of cancer cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, differentiation, angiogenesis and the inhibition of cell invasiveness by a number of mechanisms. Calcitriol enhances the cytotoxic effects of gamma irradiation and certain antioxidants and naturally derived compounds. Inhibition of calcitriol metabolism by 24-hydroxylase promotes growth inhibition effect of calcitriol. Calcitriol has been used in a number of clinical trials and it is important to note that sufficient dose and exposure to calcitriol is critical to achieve anti-tumor effect. Several trials have demonstrated that safe and feasible to administer high doses of calcitriol through intermittent regimen. Further well designed clinical trials should be conducted to better understand the role of calcitriol in cancer therapy.

Keywords: vitamin D, calcitriol, cancer, chemotherapy

Introduction

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that regulates calcium homeostasis, bone metabolism and a variety of other physiological functions 1. Vitamin D can be obtained from ultraviolet light-induced photobiogenesis in the skin or from the diet 1. In the skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D3, which is hydroxylated to 25(OH)D3 by 25-hydroxylase in the liver and then to 1,25(OH)2D3 (1α, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, calcitriol), the hormonally active metabolite, by 1α-hydroxylase in the kidney 1. Calcitriol is mainly catabolized by 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) to 1α,24,25(OH)2D3 which loses its bioactivity 1.

Calcitriol acts through both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms 2. In genomic pathways, calcitriol binds to intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR), which subsequently heterodimerizes with another nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR). The heterodimer binds to vitamin D response element in target genes and leads to gene transcription regulation 1. In addition, calcitriol has rapid effects that are independent of gene transcription regulation, which are defined as non-genomic effects and not mediated directly through steroid receptor-ligand-DNA interaction. On the other hand, non-genomic actions may indirectly affect gene transcription via the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways that target transcription factors 3. Calcitriol induces a number of non-genomic responses including rapid intestinal absorption of calcium, release of calcium from intracellular stores, opening of voltage-gated calcium and chloride channels, and the activation of protein kinase C, protein kinase A, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C 4.

Vitamin D compounds in cancer prevention and treatment

Numerous epidemiological and preclinical studies support a role of vitamin D compounds in cancer prevention and treatment in colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, bladder, lung and skin cancers and leukemia 1, 5, 6. Low levels of plasma 25(OH)D3 are associated with higher cancer incidence and mortality in men in colorectal, breast, lung and prostate cancers 7-10. The broad spectrum anti-tumor effects of calcitriol and analogs are mostly based on inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness, induction of differentiation and apoptosis, and promotion of angiogenesis.

Calcitriol has been studied in various combination treatments and shown synergistic or additive antitumor activities. Cisplatin (cis-diammine-dichloro-platinum (II), cDDP) and its analog carboplatin (Di-amminecyclobutanedicarboxylatoplatinum, CBDCA) are widely used DNA-damaging agents. It is active in the treatment of testicular, ovarian, cervical, lung, bladder cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 11, 12. Calcitriol enhances both carboplatin and cisplatin-mediated growth inhibition in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP and DU145 cells 13, 14. Calcitriol potentiates cisplatin anti-tumor effect in a Y-79 human retinoblastoma xenograft model 15 and canine breast cancer, osteosarcoma, and mastocytoma cells 16. Ro23-7553 (1,25(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-D3), a calcitriol analog, inhibits tumor regrowth when combined with cisplatin in a SCC model system 17. Calcitriol promotes the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MEKK-1) and the cleavage of caspase 3 when used in combination with cisplatin in SCC cells 18. Additional studies support these findings. SCC-VII and a calcitriol-resistant variant SCC (SCC-DR), generated by continuous culturing of SCC cells in calcitriol-containing media and has non-inducible VDR, are resistant to cisplatin 19. Pretreatment with calcitriol sensitizes SCC cells to cisplatin-induced growth inhibition and results in enhanced clonogenic cell kill in SCC. This effect is not seen in SCC-DR cells in vitro and in vivo. This sensitization may be due to restored apoptotic pathway, as indicated by enhanced cleavage of pro-caspase 10 and PARP and increased DNA fragmentation. Calcitriol and cisplatin suppress SCC tumor growth much better than either agent alone 19. Further study shows that calcitriol increased the protein level of p73, a p53 family member, which contributed to calcitriol and cisplatin-mediated growth inhibition in SCC cells 19.

Calcitriol sensitizes breast cancer cells to another DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin through the inhibition of the expression and activity of cytoplasmic antioxidant enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, which subsequently increases the oxidative damage by doxorubicin 20. Tamoxifen and calcitriol or its analog EB1089, KH1060, CB966 or OCT used together lead to enhanced growth inhibition in breast cancer cells MCF-7 than either agent alone 21. OCT and tamoxifen also inhibit MCF-7 xenograft tumor progression 22.

Calcitriol also additively or synergistically potentiates the anti-tumor activity of other types of chemotherapeutic agents. Calcitriol promotes tumor cell sensitivity to several antimetabolites, which interfere with the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Calcitriol enhances cellular sensitivity of human colon cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil through calcium-sensing receptor 23. When added together or immediately after ara-C (cytarabine), calcitriol promotes the accumulation of DNA fragments and cytotoxicity 24. Calcitriol and cytarabine combination has been used in clinic as the minimally intensive chemotherapy, and prolonged remission in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) 25, 26. Adenosine deaminase-resistant analog fludarabine synergistically enhances calcitriol-induced differentiation of human monoblastic leukemia U937 cells 27. Hydroxyurea, cytarabine or camptothecin acts synergistically with calcitriol to inhibit human monoblastic leukemia U937 cell growth 28. Hydroxyurea also promotes calcitriol-mediated U937 cell differentiation 28. Gemcitabine is a widely used antimetabolite, and the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is the current standard chemotherapy regimen for locally advanced and metastatic bladder cancer 29, 30. Calcitriol enhances caspase-dependent apoptosis and synergistically promotes the anti-proliferative effects of gemcitabine and cisplatin in human bladder cancer model systems T24 and UMUC3 31. We have shown in vitro in SCC cells that p73 is important in calcitriol antiproliferative effect; we are also examining p73 status in vivo in human transitional cell carcinoma. The expression of p73 protein is lower in human bladder cancer tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue in 3 out of 4 pairs as assessed by immunoblot analysis 31. Calcitriol augments p73 protein level in T24 and UMUC3 bladder cancer cells, which may contribute to this growth inhibition 31. Pretreatment with calcitriol in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin markedly inhibits T24 tumor growth in nude mice 31. Anti-tumor activity of gemcitabine is also augmented by calcitriol in Capan-1 human pancreatic cancer model system, as suggested by enhanced growth inhibition, apoptosis, inhibition of Akt survival pathway and xenograft tumor growth 32.

Calcitriol potentiates antitumor activity of microtubule-disrupting agents such as paclitaxel 33, 34 and docetaxel 35. This effect is associated with reduced expression level of p21 in prostate cancer cell PC3 33 or increased Bcl-2 phosphorylation in breast cancer cells 34, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 35, respectively. Calcitriol analog 1,25(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-19-nor-26,27-F6-D3 (LH) or EB1089 also potentiates antitumor activity of paclitaxel in breast cancer model systems 36. Calcitriol analog ILX 23-7553 additively enhances the antitumor effects of both adriamycin and ionizing irradiation in breast tumor cells MCF-7 through growth inhibition and apoptosis induction 37. These substantial data suggest that the addition of calcitriol to multiple chemotherapy regimens increases the activity of such treatments and potentially a better response rate to the regimens.

VDR forms heterodimer in association with RXR. RXR ligand 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) combined with calcitriol results in delayed tumor progression in the prostate PC3 tumor xenograft model in nude mice 38. This combination treatment results in direct binding of VDR/RXR heterodimer to the promoter region of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) which inhibits the expression of hTERT and subsequently leads to decreased telomerase activity in prostate cancer cells 38. Calcitriol analog 20-epi-22oxa-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-1α,25(OH)2D3 (KH1060) synergizes with 9-cis-RA to inhibit the growth and promote the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells NB4 39 and myeloblastic cells HL-60 40. The combination leads to increased apoptosis which is accompanied by reduced Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression 39.

The antitumor activity of calcitriol may also involve histone deacetylation. Combining histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate or trichostatin A with calcitriol or its analog LH or 1α,25-(OH)2-16,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluoride-D3 (LT) synergistically suppresses calcitriol or analog-induced growth inhibition in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, PC3 and DU145 41. This effect is mediated by enhanced apoptosis instead of induction of cell cycle arrest 41.

Besides chemotherapy, vitamin D is also used in combination with other types of cancer treatment. Calcitriol or its less calcaemic analogue 19-nor-1α,25-(OH)2D2 acts synergistically with ironizing radiation to inhibit the growth and apoptosis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells and primary tumor cells 42. EB1089 potentiates the antitumor activity of ironizing radiation partially through increased apoptosis in breast cancer model system MCF-7 43. Breast cancer cells overexpress one of the NF-κB subunits RelB, which promotes cancer cell survival. Calcitriol treatment results in reduced mRNA and protein levels of RelB and its target genes survivin, Bcl-2 and MnSOD, and sensitizes the breast cancer cells Hs578T and NF639 to gamma-irradiation. Overexpression of RelB enhances NF639 cells survival following calcitriol and irradiation treatment 44. Calcitriol pretreatment for 24 h enhances the phototoxic response of human SCC A431 cells to methyl aminolaevulinate-based photodynamic therapy 45.

Non-specific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors acetyl salicylic acid or indomethacin in combination with calcitriol markedly induce differentiation of leukemia cell lines into monocytes and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase 46. Cell differentiation is dependent on phosphorylation of Raf1 46. The combination of ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and calcitriol results in greater growth inhibition and G1 cell cycle arrest in human prostate cancer LNCaP cells compared to either agent alone 47. A calcitriol analog 22-oxa-1α,25-(OH)2D3, when used together with vitamin K2, promotes leukemia cells HL-60 differentiate into monocytes as examined by morphology and cell surface CD14 expression in a synergistic nature 48. This combination also induces cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase; however, it suppresses apoptosis compared to vitamin K2 alone 48. Carnosic acid, a plant-derived polyphenolic antioxidant, enhances the monocytic differentiation effects of calcitriol in human myeloid leukemia cells HL60 49. Decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species, increased intracellular glutathione, and activation of Raf-1/MEK1/ERK1/2 pathway are observed with the combination treatment 49. Bryostatin-1, a marine bryozoan-derived natural compound, has antitumor activities in both solid and lymphoid tumors 50. Bryostatin-1 synergizes with calcitriol to induce monocytic differentiation of NB4 cells 50, 51, which is associated with G1 phase cell cycle arrest, decreased cell growth and increased plastic adhesion 50. 25(OH)D3, when used together with iron deprivation agents including iron chelators or transferrin receptor antibody A24, induces the differentiation of myeloid leukemia cell lines and primary myeloblasts from AML patients into monocytes/macrophages 52. These effects are dependent on the increased level of reactive oxygen species and the activation of JNK MAPK pathway 52.

Interaction of calcitriol with certain agents results in enhanced calcitriol anti-tumor activity. Administration of dexamethasone (Dex), which reduces calcitriol-induced hypercalcemia, prior to calcitriol inhibits SCC cell proliferation compared to calcitriol alone 53. Combined treatment with Dex and calcitriol reduces SCC xenograft tumor growth. These findings are associated with the observations that Dex enhances VDR expression in SCC cells and VDR ligand binding activities in tumor cell extracts and kidneys but decreases that in intestinal mucosa 53. Further studies show that the combination of calcitriol and Dex apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in SCC cells 54. This combination also suppresses the activation of Akt and ERK1/2 pathways 54.

The effect of calcitriol is modulated by its metabolizing enzymes. The primary vitamin D3 inactivating enzyme CYP24A1, a mitochondrial cytochrome P450, induces calcitriol degradation and thereby inhibits calcitriol biological activity. The broad spectrum cytochrome P450 inhibitor ketoconazole (KTZ) or a specific CYP24A1 inhibitor RC2204, which effectively inhibits the expression and enzyme activity of CYP24A1 in PC3 cells and mice kidney tissue, synergistically inhibits the anti-proliferative effect of calcitriol in human prostate PC3 cells 55. Dex is administered together with KTZ to minimize calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia. Enhanced apoptosis is observed which does not involve caspase 3 activation but the translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus. Calcitriol and ketoconazle/Dex combination enhances the growth inhibition observed with calcitriol alone in PC3 xenograft tumor mouse model 55. KTZ also potentiates the anti-proliferative effect of calcitriol or its analog EB1089 in prostate cancer cells 56. An imidazole derivative liarozole inhibits CYP24 activity in prostate cancer cells DU145 and thus sensitizes these cells to calcitriol-mediated growth inhibition, which is associated with increased VDR expression 57.

RRR-alpha-vitamin E succinate (VES), one of the most effective vitamin E forms, induces VDR expression in prostate cancer cells 58. Pretreatment with VES synergistically enhances calcitriol-mediated growth inhibition of prostate cancer cells in vitro and reduces the rate of prostate cancer xenograft tumor growth 58, which allows for a low-dose calcitriol to be administered. A glutathione-depleting compound, menadione, sensitizes breast cancer cells MCF-7 to calcitriol-mediated growth inhibition, which may be caused, at least in part, by the increased oxidative stress, as shown by enhanced ROS production 59. Genistein, an isoflavone found in soybeans and a number of plants, in combination with calcitriol, inhibits cell growth in human prostate LNCaP cells, which is dependent on increased expression of p21 and associated with increased VDR expression 60. Another study shows that genistein and calcitriol further reduce prostate DU145 cell proliferation compared to either agent alone 61. The mechanisms for this effect may involve the induction of mRNA expression and enzyme activity of CYP24 by genistein which leads to prolonged half-life of calcitriol 61. Increased expression of VDR protein, VDR transcriptional activity, and the expression of VDR target genes are also observed in the combination treatment group 61. A medicinal herb ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) promotes calcitriol-induced the differentiation of leukemia cells HL-60 into monocytes as assessed by expression levels of CD14 and CD11b 62. This effect may be mediated by the ERK1/2 and PKC, but not PI3K pathway 62.

Phosphorylated prolactin (PRL) antagonizes the proliferation promoting effect of unmodified PRL. Molecular mimicry of naturally phosphorylated human PRL at the major phosphorylation site S179, S179D (PRL), sensitizes relatively vitamin D-insensitive prostate cancer cells DU-145 and PC3 to calcitriol-mediated anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis, which is associated with increased VDR and p21 expression 63. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC; osteonectin, BM-40), a family member of matricellular proteins including thrombospondins, tenascin, and osteopontin, may serve as a tumor suppressor 64. Compared with parental MIP101 colorectal cancer cells, calcitriol markedly reduces cell growth and enhances calcitriol alone- or calcitriol+fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in SPARC-overexpressing MIP101 cells 64. Calcitriol treatment also suppresses the phosphorylation of Akt and the expression of Bcl-2 family member BAD 64.

Calcitriol has been utilized in a number of clinical studies, either alone or in combination with Dex or cytotoxic agents, which has been reviewed 65, 66. It is important to emphasize that anti-tumor activity of calcitriol is dependent on its dose and exposure according to preclinical studies. Exposure to high concentrations of calcitriol is necessary to achieve anti-tumor results. Calcitriol or its analog Ro23-7553 delays SCC xenograft tumor growth in a dose dependent manner 67. Calcitriol of 2.5 μg/mouse administered twice a week results in a markedly stronger tumor suppression compared with once a week regimen in human pancreatic cancer model system Capan-1 32. Pharmacokinectic (PK) studies indicate that calcitriol of 0.125 μg/mouse results in a Cmax > 10.0 ng/ml and AUC > 40.0 ng h/mL in normal mice 68, which exceeds the concentration needed for calcitriol anti-tumor activity in vitro.

Although multiple clinical studies have been conducted with calcitriol or its analogs, the anti-tumor results are largely disappointing. This may be due to the fact that calcitriol or its analogs has been used at much lower doses than maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with the concern of dose-limiting hypercalcemia 69, 70. We and others demonstrate that sufficient doses of calcitriol to achieve exposure similar to those seen in preclinical models can be safely administered by high dose intermittent regimen (once weekly or QDx3 weekly) 69, 71-73. A recent phase I clinical trial demonstrates that the MTD of calcitriol (i.v.) is 74 μg/week when administered with gefitinib 70. The Cmax of calcitriol at the MTD is 6.68 ± 1.42 ng/ml (16 ± 3.40 nmol/L), which is much higher than the dose needed to elicit anti-tumor effect in preclinical studies 70. The area under the curve (AUC) of calcitriol at the MTD is 35.65 ± 8.01 ng h/mL 70. In comparison, 75 μg of DN101, a weekly oral formulation of calcitriol, results in a lower Cmax (3.8 nmol/L) but similar AUC (38.4 ng h/mL) 74. These results show that high doses of calcitriol can be administered alone or in combination with other agents to elicit or enhance the anti-tumor effects.

Summary

In summary, calcitriol has shown potential in enhancing the antitumor activities of a variety of cytotoxic or differentiating agents. The combination treatment studies with calcitriol do provide evidence and support for the continued study of calcitriol in cancer chemotherapies.

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