Recent developments in the use of vitamin D analogues

The non-classical effects of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1 alpha,25(OH )(2)D-3) create possible therapeutic applications for immune modulation (e. g., autoimmune diseases and graft rejection), inhibition of cell proliferat ion (e.g., psoriasis, cancer) and induction of cell differentiation (e.g., cancer). The major drawback related to the use of 1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 is i ts calcaemic effect, which prevents the application of pharmacological conc entrations. Intensive research has led to the development of analogues of 1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 characterised by a clear dissociation-of the antiprolif erative and prodifferentiating capacity from the calcaemic effects. Due to this dissociation, these analogues can be used not only for the treatment o f bone disorders but also for non-classical applications. In the present re view, a summary is given on the use of the 1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 analogues f or the treatment of cancer, skin and immune disorders and for the preventio n of graft rejection. Moreover a brief overview is given on the use of anal ogues for secondary hyperparathyroidism.