The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), inhibits the growth of several types of human cancer cells in vitro, but its therapeutic use is limited because it causes hypercalcemia. Among its analogs, 19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 has fewer calcemic effects and exhibits an activity that is equipotent to that of calcitriol in several in vivo and in vitro systems. This study demonstrated that paricalcitol has antitumor activity in gastric cancer cells. Treatment with paricalcitol inhibited gastric cancer cell growth, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and decreased the expression of cycle-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Additionally, paricalcitol led to apoptosis via induction of caspase-3 cleavage and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL. Inhibition of STAT3, COX-2, and NF-κB activities was also observed. Moreover, growth of peritoneal metastases in vivo was significantly reduced in mice treated with19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2. These results suggest that the vitamin D analog (19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity in gastric cancer cells, suggesting that it holds promise as a novel therapy for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3690. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3690

©2012 American Association for Cancer Research
2012