#VitaminD #SkinCancers #UVB #Photoprotection
#PreventiveDermatology
Skin cancer is among
the most common cancers
worldwide.
The most widespread forms are basal cell and
squamous cell carcinomas, closely associated with chronic exposure to
ultraviolet radiation. This link with UV rays, however, raises a paradox.
Vitamin D3, synthesized by the skin under the effect of UVB rays, has
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
antiproliferative properties, potentially
protective against carcinogenesis. Yet its production depends on
sun exposure,
which is widely recognized for its harmful
effects on DNA and its role in the
development of skin cancers.
In this respect, current prevention strategies
are essentially focused on strict photoprotection, raising the question of a
functional vitamin D deficiency. This risk is particularly high among people
with dark skin, the elderly, or populations living in regions with little
sunlight. Moreover, topical or systemic treatments based on vitamin D are still
poorly standardized, and their clinical effects remain uneven and
insufficiently documented.
This study was initiated to
clarify the
molecular mechanisms of cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis and explore its
derived
metabolic pathways. Particular attention was also given to assessing the
potential
role of vitamin D3 in preventing skin cancers, while integrating data
on new molecules from photometabolism.
What if the sun also protected?
This review is based on a critical analysis of
the available scientific literature, including fundamental, experimental, and
clinical work published over the past two decades. No original data collection
was carried out, as the study is based exclusively on documentary sources. The
research analyzed focuses mainly on the biological mechanisms of the synthesis,
transformation, and activation of vitamin D3, as well as on its
physiopathological implications.
The analysis reveals that vitamin D3 and its
derivatives exert
antiproliferative effects on keratinocytes. Moreover,
it
promotes DNA repair, reduces UV-induced inflammation, and modulates the local
immune response. It
inhibits the progression of precancerous lesions into
invasive tumors by acting on targets such as TP53, PTCH1, or p16.
These studies also show that some alternative
photoproducts of vitamin D have
equivalent or complementary biological
activity, without a hypercalcemic effect. These data therefore open the way to
localized therapeutic applications, particularly in secondary prevention in
at-risk individuals. The balance between sufficient exposure to induce
endogenous synthesis, and selective photoprotection of sensitive areas, emerges
as a strategic axis for personalized prevention.
What if vitamin D became an ally against skin
cancer?
Skin cancers, especially non-melanoma forms,
are closely linked to excessive sun exposure. Paradoxically, systematically
suppressing this exposure could deprive the skin of a natural defense
mechanism: the synthesis of vitamin D3. The challenge is therefore to
find a
balance between prevention and endogenous production, taking into account
inter-individual variability (phototype, age, lifestyle habits).
This review aimed to explore the role of
vitamin D and its photoderivatives in
skin cancer prevention, by clarifying the
biological pathways involved and identifying potential targets for future
therapeutic intervention.
The results suggest that vitamin D metabolites
can act as
active regulators of cell proliferation, particularly in UV-exposed
areas. However, direct clinical evidence remains limited, and the actual
effectiveness of photoderivatives in preventive application has yet to be
demonstrated.
Translational studies including
controlled
clinical trials,
VDR polymorphism analyses, and long-term follow-up will be
necessary to establish precise recommendations. This approach could lead to a
personalized sun prevention medicine
, combining vitamin dosage, reasoned
photoprotection, and targeted topical treatment.
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