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Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms and Cancer
Patrizia Gnagnarella1, Sara Raimondi2, Valentina Aristarco3
1Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCSS, Milan, Italy.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 12, 2020
Summary
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms may influence cancer risk, particularly for breast, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers. However, current evidence is conflicting, suggesting ethnicity and vitamin D status are important factors.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Cancer Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology and Disease Risk
Background:
- Vitamin D plays a role in cancer development and progression.
- The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates vitamin D's effects on gene expression.
- VDR gene polymorphisms are investigated for their association with various cancer risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on VDR polymorphisms (Fok1, Bsm1, Taq1, Apa1, Cdx2) and their association with cancer risk.
- To analyze the relevance of these polymorphisms across different cancer types and ethnicities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review up to December 2018.
- Inclusion of 176 independent studies covering a wide range of malignancies.
- Analysis considering ethnicity as a factor for heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Significant associations between VDR polymorphisms and risk were reported for prostate, breast, colorectal, and skin cancers.
- Conflicting data exist for most cancer types, preventing definitive conclusions.
- Limited studies reported risk estimates for other cancer sites.
Conclusions:
- VDR polymorphisms may modulate the risk for certain cancers, but definitive statements are not yet possible.
- Factors like ethnicity, vitamin D status, and UV exposure likely contribute to heterogeneity.
- Future research should integrate VDR genetic variation with vitamin D status and stratify by ethnicity.
Keywords:
25-Hydroxyvitamin DApa1Basal cell carcinomaBreast cancerBsm1CancerCdx2Colon-rectum cancerEsophageal adenocarcinomaFok1Head and neck cancerHepatocellular carcinomaMelanomaMeta-analysisNasopharyngeal carcinomaNon-Hodgkin lymphomaOral squamous cell carcinomaProstate cancerRenal cell carcinomaRisk estimatesSquamous cell carcinomaTaq1Thyroid carcinomaUltravioletVDR polymorphismsVitamin DMore Related Videos
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