Calcitriol Implications on Human Rhabdomyosarcoma: An Unexplored Field

This work is an extension of our published article in 2022 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106146), where we further discuss any recent updates in this research and analyse the issues addressed in the focal article. Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3, is also acknowledged as 1α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. This steroid hormone is known for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recent studies suggest that calcitriol also exerts anti-cancer effects in various malignancies. We previously reported (in 2022) that treatment with this steroid hormone triggers apoptosis in RD cells, a known rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell line. RMS is a common soft tissue sarcoma that develops malignant tumor derived from skeletal muscle cells, predominantly affecting children. However, high risk RMS treatment has not been improved over the last three decades, indicating that it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. There is no updated information about the influence of calcitriol in RMS that could complement and extend our previously published article. However, we recognize the potential of this steroid hormone as a future therapeutic agent in managing this challenging cancer.