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Combination therapy of calcitriol inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells: new concept of nonclassical function of calcitriol

  • Khuzama A. Aljunidee and Sanaa K. Bardaweel EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: November 15, 2021
Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation
From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 43 Issue 2

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the anticancer effects of calcitriol and cholecalciferol against different cell lines of breast cancer in monotherapy settings and in combination with raloxifene.

Methods

The antiproliferative, anti-migratory, and apoptotic induction effects were assessed by MTT, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays, respectively.

Results

Calcitriol and cholecalciferol exhibited antiproliferative effects against T47D, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 in a time and concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values of calcitriol were in the range of 0.05–0.25 μM while that for cholecalciferol were in the range of 3–100 μM. Furthermore, the results showed that calcitriol and cholecalciferol exhibited anti-migratory effects on MDA-MB-231, an apoptotic induction effect on MCF-7 cells, and a synergistic effect when combined with raloxifene.

Conclusions

Calcitriol and cholecalciferol exhibited anticancer effects and may be used as chemosensitizers.

Keywords: breast cancer; calcitriol; chemosensitivity; cholecalciferol; proliferation
Corresponding author: Sanaa K. Bardaweel, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman 11942, Jordan, Phone: 0096265355000 - ex. 23318, E-mail:

Funding source: Deanship of Academic Research, University of Jordan

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Jordan for financial support.

  1. Research funding: Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Jordan.

  2. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  3. Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  5. Ethical approval: Not applicable.

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Received: 2021-04-02
Accepted: 2021-11-02
Published Online: 2021-11-15

© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

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  3. Review Articles
  4. The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: role of fertility preservation
  5. A narrative review of functional outcomes following nerve-sparing surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis
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  10. Special Issue 2: Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients and Survivors; Edited by René Druckmann and Adolf E. Schindler
  11. Opinion Paper
  12. Quality of life and sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer patients: a psychosomatic approach
  13. Review Articles
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  15. Fertility in BRCA mutation carriers: counseling BRCA-mutated patients on reproductive issues
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  17. Regular Issue
  18. Original Articles
  19. Effects of iron-related compounds and bilirubin on redox homeostasis in endometriosis and its malignant transformations
  20. miR-515-3p, miR-623, miR-1272 and Notch3 protein as new biomarkers of Hepatocellular carcinoma
  21. Combination therapy of calcitriol inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells: new concept of nonclassical function of calcitriol
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  23. Effects of Helichrysum Psudoplicatum supplementation on pruritus intensity, fatigue, quality of life and anorexia in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial
  24. The anticancer and free radical scavenging potential of the Unani medicine Agaricus albus L.
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https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2021-0031
Keywords for this article
breast cancer; calcitriol; chemosensitivity; cholecalciferol; proliferation

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Special Issue 1: Adenomyosis and Endometriosis: An Update; Edited by René Druckmann and Adolf E. Schindler
  3. Review Articles
  4. The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: role of fertility preservation
  5. A narrative review of functional outcomes following nerve-sparing surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis
  6. Appropriate surgical management of ovarian endometrioma: excision or drainage?
  7. Diaphragmatic endometriosis and thoracic endometriosis syndrome: a review on diagnosis and treatment
  8. Rates of anastomotic leak and fistula following surgical management of bowel endometriosis: a comparison of shaving, discoid excision, and segmental resection
  9. Endometriosis at all ages: diagnostic ultrasound
  10. Special Issue 2: Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients and Survivors; Edited by René Druckmann and Adolf E. Schindler
  11. Opinion Paper
  12. Quality of life and sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer patients: a psychosomatic approach
  13. Review Articles
  14. Fertility preservation in women with early ovarian cancer
  15. Fertility in BRCA mutation carriers: counseling BRCA-mutated patients on reproductive issues
  16. Fertility preservation in borderline ovarian tumor patients and survivors
  17. Regular Issue
  18. Original Articles
  19. Effects of iron-related compounds and bilirubin on redox homeostasis in endometriosis and its malignant transformations
  20. miR-515-3p, miR-623, miR-1272 and Notch3 protein as new biomarkers of Hepatocellular carcinoma
  21. Combination therapy of calcitriol inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells: new concept of nonclassical function of calcitriol
  22. The change pattern in serum G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) levels during pregnancy with and without gestational diabetes mellitus
  23. Effects of Helichrysum Psudoplicatum supplementation on pruritus intensity, fatigue, quality of life and anorexia in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial
  24. The anticancer and free radical scavenging potential of the Unani medicine Agaricus albus L.
  25. Review Articles
  26. What is the optimal luteal support in assisted reproductive technology?
  27. The relation between obesity, kisspeptin, leptin, and male fertility
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