this volume provides a comprehensive, highly readable overview of the topics discussed at the first international symposium on vitamin d analogs in cancer prevention and therapy held in homburg/saar, germany in may 2002. leading researchers discuss our present knowledge of the vitamin d system in cancer. topics range from the newest findings in molecular biology, epidemiology, synthesis and metabolism of vitamin d to new concepts for the use of vitamin d analogs in cancer prophylaxis and treatment. the book provides essential up-to-date information for every researcher or clinician interested in the biology of vitamin d or cancer.