Recent Advances in Vitamin D and K in Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

Vitamins D and K are increasingly recognized as critical micronutrients that influence cancer biology through diverse molecular and clinical mechanisms. In addition to their established roles in calcium metabolism and bone health, recent studies suggest their involvement in regulating tumor initiation, progression, and response to therapy. Vitamin D, acting primarily via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), modulates gene networks responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune surveillance. Likewise, vitamin K and its dependent proteins are essential for maintaining redox balance, controlling inflammation, and regulating cell signaling, with accumulating evidence supporting their anticancer and chemosensitizing effects.

This Special Issue seeks to integrate recent advances in basic, translational, and clinical research on vitamins D and K in the context of cancer. Submissions are invited that clarify molecular mechanisms, receptor-mediated pathways, and multi-omics approaches, as well as clinical investigations evaluating vitamin status, supplementation strategies, and outcomes across various types of cancer. Reviews that address synergistic effects between vitamins D and K, their interactions with targeted or immune-based therapies, and their relevance to personalized medicine are also encouraged. The objective of this collection is to advance a comprehensive understanding of the potential of these vitamins to inform innovative strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Prof. Dr. Alexandra M. Crǎciun
Dr. Ciprian N. Silaghi
Dr. Andreea Crintea
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.