Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in cellular processes via the vitamin D receptor (VDR).
• Reduced vitamin D levels are observed in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene can alter vitamin D status and function, prompting investigation into their association with MM risk.

Approach:

• A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, systematically searching multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang) up to June 1, 2023.
• Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for four VDR gene polymorphisms: TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232), BsmI (rs1544410), and FokI (rs2228570).
• Statistical analyses included leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, Begg's and Egger's tests for publication bias, and the trim-and-fill method. Analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 and STATA 12.0 software.

Key Points:

• The meta-analysis found significant associations between specific VDR gene polymorphisms and MM risk in Asian populations.
• TaqI polymorphisms (C vs. T, CC+CT vs. TT) showed increased MM risk.
• ApaI (T vs. G, TT vs. GG, TG vs. GG, TT+TG vs. GG), BsmI (GG vs. AA, GA vs. AA, G vs. A, GG vs. AA+GA), and FokI (T vs. C, TT vs. CC, TC vs. CC, TT+TC vs. CC, TT vs. CC+TC) polymorphisms were also significantly correlated with elevated MM risk.

Conclusions:

• VDR gene polymorphisms, specifically TaqI, ApaI, BsmI, and FokI, are associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma in Asian populations.
• These findings highlight the potential role of VDR genetic variations in MM susceptibility.
• Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse ethnic groups is warranted to confirm and expand upon these results.