Objective: To investigate whether systemic vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) therapy prevents tumor formation in the hamster buccal pouch model.
Design: Randomized trial in which a known carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), was applied to the right buccal pouch of 20 golden Syrian hamsters 3 times per week. To evaluate vitamin D3 as a chemopreventive agent, animals were randomized to receive systemic vitamin D3 or no treatment. Animals were killed at 14 weeks after the initiation of DMBA exposure.