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 non-calcemic compounds that provide desirable therapeutic effects without causing dose-limiting hypercalcemia. UW–Madison researchers have developed a novel vitamin D analog, (20S,22E)-methylene-19-nor-22-ene-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ₃ , also known as N-23. This compound binds the vitamin D receptor with the same affinity as the native hormone but is more potent in causing cellular differentiation and increasing expression of the 24-hydroxylase gene. It also is less active than calcitriol in causing intestinal calcium transport. It potentially may be developed into a useful anticancer agent.

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a vitamin D analog known as N-23 that is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent.