The challenges of using vitamin D in cancer prevention and prognosis.

eral anti-inflammatory effects, including suppression of prostaglandin action, inhibition of p38 stress kinase signaling, and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibition of NF-κB signaling. On the other hand, several investigational studies suggest that serum 25(OH)D (the early vitamin D metabolite) is inversely associated with the risk of different types of cancer. Furthermore, some studies in cancer patients have revealed an intriguing association between low 25(OH)D levels and poor prognosis [4,5].