Kurzfassung

Patients with advanced head and neck or oral squamous cell carcinoma (HNOSCC) often have limited treatment options. Hence, novel and innovative treatment strategies are needed, also considering the advances of molecular (nano)medicine and/or anti-tumoral agents. However, such approaches require a profound understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Besides its key roles in development and calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is controversially discussed and...Patients with advanced head and neck or oral squamous cell carcinoma (HNOSCC) often have limited treatment options. Hence, novel and innovative treatment strategies are needed, also considering the advances of molecular (nano)medicine and/or anti-tumoral agents. However, such approaches require a profound understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Besides its key roles in development and calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is controversially discussed and preclinically explored to improve chemo-/radiation treatments of numerous cancers, including HNOSCC. The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, acts via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), alone or in combination with other members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. NR targeting drugs, such as glucocorticoids, are still one of the most potent medications for multiple diseases. For VDR/NRs, cytoplasmic-nuclear transport and induced epigenetic modulations mechanistically regulate involved (path) biological effects (Fig.1). As low-cost cancer treatment options are highly important for developing countries, including Egypt, our project aims to comprehensively evaluate the anticancer activity of vitamin D, dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms, and explore innovative delivery tools.» weiterlesen» einklappen