Both high and low levels of blood vitamin D are associated with a higher prostate cancer risk: A longitudinal, nested case‐control study in the Nordic countries

• Published in: International journal of cancer 2004-01, Vol.108 (1), p.104-108
• Main Authors: Tuohimaa, Pentti, Tenkanen, Leena, Ahonen, Merja, Lumme, Sonja, Jellum, Egil, Hallmans, Göran, Stattin, Pär, Harvei, Sverre, Hakulinen, Timo, Luostarinen, Tapio, Dillner, Joakim, Lehtinen, Matti, Hakama, Matti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25(OH)‐vitamin D3; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Calcifediol - blood; Cancer and Oncology; Cancer och onkologi; Case-Control Studies; Clinical Medicine; Finland; Human; Humans; Klinisk medicin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Non-U.S. Gov't; Norway; prostate; prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - blood; Risk; serum bank; Support; Sweden; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency - complications
• ISSN: 0020-7136; 1097-0215
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.11375

Vitamin D inhibits the development and growth of prostate cancer cells. Epidemiologic results on serum vitamin D levels and prostate cancer risk have, however, been inconsistent. We conducted a longitudinal nested case‐control study on Nordic men (Norway, Finland and Sweden) using serum banks of 200,000 samples. We studied serum 25(OH)‐vitamin D levels of 622 prostate cancer cases and 1,451 matched controls and found that both low (≤19 nmol/l) and high (≥80 nmol/l) 25(OH)‐vitamin D serum concentrations are associated with higher prostate cancer risk. The normal average serum concentration of 25(OH)‐vitamin D (40–60 nmol/l) comprises the lowest risk of prostate cancer. The U‐shaped risk of prostate cancer might be due to similar 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 availability within the prostate: low vitamin D serum concentration apparently leads to a low tissue concentration and to weakened mitotic control of target cells, whereas a high vitamin D level might lead to vitamin D resistance through increased inactivation by enhanced expression of 24‐hydroxylase. It is recommended that vitamin D deficiency be supplemented, but too high vitamin D serum level might also enhance cancer development. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.