Evaluation of the Relationship Between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Saber Chebouki, Zeynep Nil Ünal, Kemal Koray Bal, Harun Gür, Onur İsmi, Murat ÜnalObjective: The paradoxical relationship between cancer and vitamin D has been known since 1990. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is found in several tissues and, in contrast to popular belief, it is not only responsible for calcium and phosphorus metabolism but also associated with several other metabolic events. We conducted this study to investigate the effects of these factors on head and neck cancers by examining vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels and polymorphisms of the VDR genes FokI and Bsm in patients with head and neck cancer.
Material and Methods: A total of 51 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma aged 31-88 years and 51 healthy individuals aged 33-89 years who applied to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine were included in this study.
Results: No difference was observed in the distribution of the genotype ratios of the VDR genes FokI and Bsm between the two groups. However, a statistically significant difference was found in calcium levels between the two groups.
Conclusion: An individual with known VDR gene polymorphisms can provide possible risk information regarding which disease risk group he/she is in, and VDR gene polymorphism can be used as a biomarker.