We explored the potential of calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, in treating glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Our research aimed to see if vitamin D could target the stem-like cells that contribute to tumor growth and resistance to treatment.
Through a combination of lab tests, including real-time PCR and organ transplant cultures, we found that calcitriol can effectively reduce the stem-like properties of glioblastoma stem cells. Interestingly, it also worked well alongside Temozolomide, a common chemotherapy drug, helping to improve its effectiveness. In some cases, the combination completely eliminated the tumor cells we analyzed.
These promising results suggest that calcitriol could serve as an important part of treatment for certain patients with glioblastoma. However, further studies will be essential to fully understand its potential and optimize its use in clinical settings.
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Vitamin D3 may reduce brain edemaPreoperative Serum Level of Vitamin D is a Possible Protective Factor for Peritumoral Brain Edema of Meningioma: A Cross Sectional Study.
High relevance to vitamin D3 effects
We investigated whether preoperative serum levels of vitamin D3 could influence peritumoral brain edema in patients diagnosed with meningioma. This study included 112 patients who underwent assessments of serum 25(OH)D levels and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate brain edema.
Our findings revealed a significant correlation between lower vitamin D3 levels and higher edema index (EI) percentages. Patients with EI below 100% had a median serum vitamin D3 level of 65.58 ng/mL, whereas those with EI above 100% had a much lower median of 37.33 ng/mL.
We found that for every increase of 1 ng/mL in serum vitamin D3, the extent of brain edema decreased by approximately 4%. This suggests that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D3 may serve as a protective factor against peritumoral brain edema in patients with meningioma.
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We investigated how synthetic analogs of vitamin D, specifically tacalcitol and calcipotriol, impact the growth and movement of T98G human glioblastoma cells. This type of brain cancer is particularly aggressive and challenging to treat, making it vital to explore new therapeutic options.
Our findings revealed that both vitamin D analogs significantly decreased cell viability and reduced the rate at which these cancer cells proliferated. This was evident in our tests, where even low concentrations of the analogs, ranging from 1 nM to 10 μM, showed a notable suppression of cell growth.
We also conducted a wound-healing assay to assess the migration of T98G cells. Both tacalcitol and calcipotriol were effective in slowing down the movement of these cells compared to a control group. Interestingly, even though we saw these promising effects, the analogs did not appear to trigger apoptosis, as measured by caspase-3 and -7 activities.
Overall, our research supports the potential of vitamin D analogs as a promising avenue for the treatment of glioblastoma by significantly inhibiting both the growth and migration of cancer cells.
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We developed an innovative method to tackle glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain tumor. Our approach involved creating a unique nanoplatform that combines vitamin D3, lipids, and neutrophil membranes to enhance the treatment's effectiveness.
Through this method, we incorporated doxorubicin-loaded manganese dioxide nanoparticles, which not only provided chemotherapy but also activated immune responses. Impressively, this nanoplatform significantly boosted the body's immune reaction, stimulating the release of type I interferon-β and inflaming cytokines to target glioma tissues.
We observed a transformation in the tumor's environment, shifting from an immunosuppressive "cold" tumor to a more responsive "hot" tumor, thereby increasing the presence of crucial immune cells like CD8T cells. Although the specific isolated effects of vitamin D3 on its own cannot be determined from this study, its synergistic role within this multimodal strategy showcases promising potential for future cancer treatments, particularly in harnessing the body's innate immune responses against glioblastoma.
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Vitamin D's role in glioma treatmentThe Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D on COVID-19 Induced Glioblastoma Recurrence via the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway.
Study highlights complex interactions
We delved into the complex relationship between vitamin D and glioma, particularly amid the challenges COVID-19 poses for patients with this aggressive brain cancer. Through our investigation, we identified 203 genes that were commonly altered in both glioma and COVID-19 infections. Among these, we pinpointed six key genes that can influence patient outcomes, including MYBL2, RBM6, VEPH1, AHNAK2, GNG10, and DUSP14.
After further examination, five of these genes showed potential interactions with vitamin D, suggesting that this vitamin might play a role in improving the prognosis for glioma patients who contract COVID-19. Specifically, vitamin D appears to influence the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which is critical in regulating numerous cellular functions linked to cancer progression.
Our molecular docking and single-cell RNA analyses indicate that vitamin D could help enhance the health and longevity of glioma patients during COVID-19 infections. However, it’s essential to note that while we observed potential benefits, the complex interplay between these factors warrants further research for a clearer understanding. Overall, this study sheds light on the promising connections between vitamin D, glioma, and COVID-19, paving the way for future treatment strategies.
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