Vitamin D receptor genetic variations in association to the susceptibility to prostate cancer: a case-control study in a Moroccan population

Aim: It has been shown that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and its biological functions can be affected by genetic alterations in the VDR gene. These genetic alterations particularly (rs1544410), (rs7975232), and (rs731236) polymorphisms, and deficiency of vitamin D are suggested to contribute to predisposition to prostate cancer (PCa). Our case-control study investigates the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and PCa risk, in relation to clinicopathological features, within the Moroccan population. Assess the relationship between VDR polymorphisms (rs1544410), (rs7975232), and (rs731236) and PCa risk in Moroccan men and their association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: A total of 100 men patients (mean age of 69.8 years) with different stages of PCa were genotyped for three VDR gene polymorphisms, (rs1544410), (rs7975232), and (rs731236), as well as 100 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP using restriction enzymes (BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI). The evaluation of the association between VDR genetic polymorphisms and clinicopathological features was carried out by the chi-square test (χ2) and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Significant associations were found between the ApaI (p = 0.045) and TaqI (p = 0.029) polymorphisms and the risk of PCa. The haplotypes AA (42%) of ApaI and Tt (45%) of TaqI were more frequent in PCa patients, suggesting an increased risk. The BsmI polymorphism was significantly associated with PSA levels (p = 0.045). Additionally, the ApaI polymorphism was linked to smoking status in PCa patients (p = 0.023), and TaqI was associated with pathological T stage (p = 0.042) and surgical history (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236) polymorphisms of the VDR gene are significantly associated with an increased risk of PCa in the Moroccan population. Moreover, ApaI was linked to smoking, while TaqI showed an association with tumor stage and surgical history, suggesting that these variants may influence both genetic predisposition and cancer progression.