Vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk: A meta-analysis of 36 published studies

To update data on the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in susceptibility to prostate cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of 36 eligible publications on the association of TaqI, ApaI, BsmI, FokI and CDX2 SNPs of the VDR gene with prostate cancer risk. Our study suggested that the TaqI t and BsmI B alleles were associated with reduced prostate cancer risk among all study populations. Stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed that the ApaI a allele was associated with reduced prostate cancer risk only among Asian populations, whereas the FokI f allele showed a trend of increased prostate cancer risk only among Caucasian populations in a dominant model, independent of tumor stage (local or advanced). These results suggest that VDR polymorphisms may be potential biomarkers for prostate cancer susceptibility.

Duke Scholars

Author Qingyi Wei Population Health Sciences