The association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphism and lung
cancer risk has been evaluated by the previous meta-analyses. Due to the emergence of novel studies
and inappropriate inclusion of overlapping populations, an updated meta-analysis on recent
evidences is necessarily needed. We comprehensively searched databases of PubMed, Web of
Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and finally obtained 7 eligible studies
according to the inclusion criteria. Four positions on VDR gene, namely ApaI (rs7975232), BsmI
(rs1544410), FokI (rs10735810) and TaqI (rs731236), were considered in this investigation. Data
pooling found no significant association of lung cancer risk with ApaI or FokI. In contrast, it was
indicated that the BsmI A allele was negatively related to the lung cancer risk, compared with the G
allele (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33-0.79). Individuals with BsmI AA (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.26-1.11)
and AG genotypes (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.30−0.71) showed decreased risk of lung cancer,
compared with those of GG genotype. Regarding the TaqI polymorphism, the T allele carriers were
at increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04-1.50). Compared with the TaqI TC+CC
genotype, the TT genotype was positively associated with lung cancer risk (OR = 1.42, 95% CI =
1.11-1.82). No publication bias was identified in any of the analysis. In conclusion, VDR genetic
polymorphism may be correlated to lung cancer risk. Given limited number of the included studies,
more observations are warranted to draw a safer conclusion.
Letter by Fu et al. regarding the article, “Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and the lung cancer risk”
