Malignant neoplasms of the ovaries are among the oncological diseases that very often end fatally for patients. One reason is that the tumor turns the body’s defenses against itself. Despite the negative predictions, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Nagoya University, vitamin D can effectively prevent one of the main pathways involved in the development of this tumor. The team conducting the study is led by Dr. Masato Yoshihara of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who collaborates with colleagues from the Bell Research Center and the Department of Pathology at Nagoya University School of Medicine. Malignant tumors of the ovaries very often metastasize to the peritoneum. This represents the movement of tumor cells to a secondary implantation site, such as the peritoneal wall or diaphragm. The peritoneum is protected from this process by means of a barrier composed of mesothelial cells that prevent the adhesion of cancer cells and limit their spread. However, the ovarian tumor bypasses this defense by transforming the protective mesothelial cells into those that are associated with the oncological process. In this way, an environment is created that supports metastasis and, accordingly, stimulates the spread of the tumor in the body. The researchers found that vitamin D not only counteracts this process, but also restores the affected cells to their original state. In this way, the barrier effect of the mesothelial cells is strengthened and the probability of the further spread of the oncological process is reduced. According to their study, vitamin D therapy can be used as an adjunct to ovarian tumor treatment. This possibility is due to the complex spread of cancer cells. Previous research has concluded that these cells secrete a protein called TGF-β1, which is associated with cell growth. It also increases the amount of the protein thrombospondin-1, through a pathway called TGF-β/Smad. The amount of thrombospondin-1 is significantly increased in later and more severe stages of ovarian cancer. This protein enhances adhesion and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells to the peritoneum. For this reason, scientists constantly include it in their research. Vitamin D disrupts the TGF-β/Smad pathway, therefore possibly influencing cancer progression. Despite the potential positives, vitamin D can be used in addition to ovarian tumor treatment, not as a substitute for it. The study was published in the journal Matrix Biology. References: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0945053X22000397?via%3Dihub