A Multi-Centered Trial Evaluating the Role of Vitamin D Metabolism in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Vitamin D exerts antiproliferative and differentiating effects in cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The active form of Vitamin D is 1,25, dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) which rapidly induces expression of cytochrome P450 24R-hydroxylase (CYP24A1). CYP24A1 initiates inactivation of calcitriol as a result of successive hydroxylation/oxidation reactions. This study seeks to prospectively determine the relationship between Vitamin D gene expression and median survival as a primary outcome, and between the Vitamin D receptor (VDR)/CYP24A1 gene expression and cancer stage, smoking status, serum 1,25 (OH)2D3 levels as well as CYP24A1 genotype.