Vitamin D
Protection in the fight against skin cancer
The Skin Cancer capital of the world.
Australia, particularly the northern parts,is the world's skin cancer capital. Statistically speaking, an Australian has a far greater risk than almost anyone else of developing one of the non-melanoma cancers at some stage in life. Skin cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in white people aged 25 to 40 in Australia. It is not surprising therefore that one of the leading research centres into skin cancer research is based at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Research in the skin capital of the world aims to discover a global cure.
Australia has the highest incidence, with skin cancer accounting for 81% of all new cancers diagnosed each year.1
One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer and, according to Skin Cancer Foundation Statistics, currently, one in five North Americans and one in two Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.2
Vitamin D - protection from multiple forms of cancer
Groundbreaking research conducted by Griffith University researchers has shown that genetic variation influences the risk of skin cancer development.
- Lifelong healthy levels of vitamin D are shown to protect from multiple forms of cancer.
- Vitamin D is an important part of a healthy diet, and promotes the growth of strong bones in children and helps them to stay healthy as adults.
- These benefits continue as we age with healthy levels of vitamin D shown to protect against diabetes, osteoporosis, prostate, lung, colon, breast and skin cancer.
How Vitamin D Works
On the outside of each of our cells, a special protein called the vitamin D receptor (VDR) waits for an active form of vitamin D to arrive. When it does, the vitamin D binds to the receptor, and together they travel to the cell's DNA, where they activate the many genes that control the different functions that vitamin D assists with.
Work in cancer cells has indicated that the addition of extra vitamin D slows their growth and reduces the spread of the disease. There is also mounting evidence that maintaining a high, but healthy level of vitamin D may also prevent cancers from developing in the first place. The problem though, is that exposure to UV can increase vitamin D, but it also increases the risk of skin cancer.
Further research is required to define exactly how these gene variations affect the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the body and also look at methods of using this information to develop a directed skin cancer treatment.
The Griffith Advantage
Griffith University is an innovative university committed to multidisciplinary teaching and research, individual rights, ethical standards and social justice. It has five campuses in three cities across the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor. With more than 33,000 students and 3,500 staff, it is one of Queensland's largest universities.
The Griffith Institute of Health and Medical Research (GIHMR) was established in 2006 to provide overarching coordination and support to the University's health-related activities, by drawing together the research expertise of the Griffith Health Faculty. The Institute has established five Research Programs, each focussed on a particular research strength.
The skin cancer research project is being undertaken by the Genomics Research Centre (GRC) within the Institute. The GRC holds the world's largest collection of DNA samples from migraine patients and was the first in the world to show that migraine is a disorder involving multiple genes, and the first to identify hormone-related gene variants that play a role in migraine susceptibility The Centre has a proven track record in delivering leading edge research.
To undertake its gene mapping studies, the GRC has a significant population repository. The Centre also conducts studies using the unique population from Norfolk Island (situated off the East Coast of Australia) to identify the genes involved in cardiovascular disease. The Norfolk Island community of about 1,200 has lived in isolation from other communities, resulting in a relatively homogenous genetic pool, which is ideal for gene mapping studies.
Research partners
The Centre's experience in large-scale studies delivers comprehensive clinical research outcomes.
Researchers at the GRC have also developed significant research collaborations with industry including leading international biotechnology companies such as, GlaxoSmithKline (UK), Sequenom (US), Emerillon (Canada), and MigCo (NZ), and national industry collaborations including Corbett Research, Medigard and CBio Ltd.
Genetics and vitamin D treatment
This is the first proposed clinical trial for skin cancer involving vitamin D treatment that involves genetic information coupled to treatment. Research aims to broaden knowledge on the genetic basis of skin cancer but also trial a new treatment for skin cancer directed towards current groundbreaking results.
The laboratory has a large population of donor DNA from healthy volunteers and individuals with skin cancer. Drawing from this donor population, the DNA of each individual is investigated for genetic variations.
- A new method of analysis to identify other genes involved in skin cancer development is being trialled.
- The analysis using collected DNA samples and cancer tissue, is used to determine how these implicated genes are abnormally expressed in the progression from normal tissue to skin cancer.
The technique has been developed in our laboratory and allows researchers to examine DNA for mutations in multiple genes and gene expression variation simultaneously.
- A clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent skin cancer has been developed.
- Variations in this gene affect the body's use of available vitamin D, thus people with some variations of the gene may not be able to utilise vitamin D as well as individuals with other gene variations. By supplementing the diet with vitamin D, we may be able to reduce the risk of skin cancer development.
- A number of genes in which mutations in the DNA significantly change a person's risk of developing skin cancer have been identified, but we are also interested in identification of other genes that play a role in skin cancer development.
Research to results - Vitamin D therapy
The University seeks to bring this research initiative to fruition through strong partnerships with industry, government the corporate sector and individuals.
Every gift makes a difference
If you would like to support research into skin cancer, please make a donation online or or contact Brenda Tischendorf, Development and Alumni Coordinator.For more information on how you can support this initiative, please contact:
Brenda Tischendorf
Coordinator, Development and Alumni (Health)
From within Australia:
Phone: (07) 5552 7095
Mobile: 0434 171 936
Fax: (07) 5552 9304
From outside Australia:
Phone: +61 7 5552 7095
Mobile: +61 434 171 936
Fax: +61 7 5552 9304
Email: b.tischendorf@griffith.edu.au
Reference
1 T.C.C. Australia. 2003. Media backgrounder: Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer. http://www.cancer.org.au2 World Health Organisation - Protecting children from ultraviolet radiation
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs261/en/