Reduced serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in stage IV melanoma patients.

Abstract

Among the patients with malignant melanoma, significantly reduced serum 25(OH)D levels were found in the stage IV patients as compared to stage I patients, and those with low 25(OH)D serum levels (<10 ng/ml) may develop earlier distant metastatic disease compared to those with higher 25(OH)D serum levels (>20 ng/ml). Further study of the vitamin D pathway and its influence on pathogenesis and progression of malignant melanoma is warranted.