Lower vitamin D levels and VDR variants are risk factors for breast cancer: an updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Inadequate vitamin D levels and vitamin D variants have been shown to be associated with breast cancer (BC), however the results are inconsistent. To reach a definitive conclusion the present meta-analysis was conducted. When compared to healthy controls, BC patients had reduced vitamin D levels (standard difference in means = −0.564, p = 0.003). The meta-analysis revealed that the FokI mutation was linked with an increased BC susceptibility (CC vs. TT: OR = 1.107, p = 0.001, CC vs. TC + TT: OR = 1.114, p = 0.020). There was no role of other VDR variants (BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI). FokI mutation and diminished vitamin D increase the likelihood of developing BC.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• vitamin D₃
• VDR
• polymorphism
• susceptibility
• meta-analysis

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Zhenyu Zhao and Wenyu Cai: Data search and analysis, Jing Xing and Chenhui Zhao: Interpretation of the data Chenhui Zhao: Prepared the first draft of the manuscript. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

Consent to publish

As the study was conducted using data from the published article, consent to published is not required.

Ethics approval

As the study was conducted using data from the published article, ethical clearance is not required.

Data availability statement

Data will be available on request to the corresponding author.