Technologies

The hormonally active form of vitamin D, known as calcitriol or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D ₃ , has shown promise for treating diseases ranging from osteoporosis to cancer to psoriasis. However, the hormone mobilizes calcium from bones and increases intestinal absorption of dietary calcium. Effective therapeutic concentrations can lead to hypercalcemia; a condition characterized by elevated blood calcium levels, alterations in mental status, muscle weakness and calcification of soft tissues and organs such as the heart and kidneys. Therefore, a need exists for new compounds that provide desirable therapeutic effects without causing dose-limiting hypercalcemia. UW–Madison researchers have developed vitamin D analogs (20S) and (20R)-3-desoxy-1a,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene vitamin D ₃ .These compounds are known also as 3D-QMS and 3D-QM, respectively. They exhibit anticancer properties of high binding affinity and cell differentiation activity. High calcemic activity suggests treatment for bone ailments and diseases.