Role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms in susceptibility to multiple myeloma in ethnic Kashmiri population

Abstract Background Vitamin D regulates many biological processes including bone metabolism, innate immune response, and cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to its receptor VDR. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with many cancers like breast, colorectal, prostate, and skin. The main aim of this study was to determine whether VDR polymorphisms ( ApaI, BsmI and FokI ) are associated with increased risk of multiple myeloma. Methods We designed a case control study where 75 multiple myeloma cases were studied for VDR polymorphisms ( ApaI, BsmI and FokI ) against 150 controls taken from general population. The polymorphisms of VDR gene were investigated using PCR–RFLP method. Results We did not find any significant association between ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms and multiple myeloma risk (P > 0.05), but FokI polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk for multiple myeloma. We also found a significant association between the ff variant genotype with creatinine levels, albumin levels, and Durie–Salmon stage III. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the FokI polymorphism is involved in the increased susceptibility to development and progression in multiple myeloma in the ethnic Kashmiri population. Furthermore these results suggest that ff genotype is associated with higher risk for developing multiple myeloma.