Klin Onkol 1999; 12(1): 12-21.
Summary: Several derivatives of Vitamin D3 have recently attracted attention in relation with their possible curative use in oncology. The purpose of the present brief outline is to inform clinical oncologists of the latest findings and preliminary hypotheses on the function of this very interesting system in norma! as well as transformed targed cells. The first introductory part describes the transformation ofVitamin D3 into its basic hormona! derivative (1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol), its transport in the blood bed and entry into the target cell . It also describes the specific intracellular receptor which, upon receiving the derivative, becomes biologically active on the molecular level. Part Two is a summary of basic literary data on the functions of the dihydroxycholecalcíferol system, the mechanics of its action, cellular receptors in target tissues and the situation in tumour tissues of the organs which have so far been in the centre of research activities.
