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Published on: January 3, 2013
Vitamin D-binding protein and pancreatic cancer: a nested case-control study
Marina R Piper1, D Michal Freedman1, Kim Robien1
1From the Nutritional Epidemiology Branch (MRP and RZS-S) and the Radiation Epidemiology Branch (DMF), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD; the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Exercise Science, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC (KR); the Clinical Support Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc./Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD (WK and HR); and Heartland Assays Inc., Iowa State University, Ames, IA (RLH).
This study found no protective role for Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in pancreatic cancer risk. Higher levels of 25(OH)D were unexpectedly linked to increased risk, contradicting previous findings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) is the primary carrier of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D].
- Previous research suggested a potential protective association between DBP and pancreatic cancer in male smokers with higher 25(OH)D levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between DBP, 25(OH)D, and pancreatic cancer risk in an American population.
- To determine if DBP or 25(OH)D concentrations influence pancreatic cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Nested case-control study within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer screening trial cohort.
- Matched 295 pancreatic cancer cases with 590 controls based on age, race, sex, and blood draw month.
- Used conditional logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- DBP concentration was not significantly associated with overall pancreatic cancer risk.
- Individuals with the highest serum 25(OH)D levels (≥100 nmol/L) showed a significantly higher risk of pancreatic cancer (OR: 3.23).
- Lower serum 25(OH)D levels (<25 nmol/L) showed no significant association, and adjustment for DBP did not change the 25(OH)D findings.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support the hypothesis that serum DBP or 25(OH)D has a protective role against pancreatic cancer.
- Elevated 25(OH)D levels were unexpectedly associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in this cohort.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between vitamin D metabolism and pancreatic cancer.
