Vitamin D-Binding Protein and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Genetic Association Analysis in Combination with Vitamin D Levels

Abstract

Genetic variations in the vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) may be associated with the plasma level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study aimed to examine the potential association of VDBP genetic variants (rs7041 and rs4588) with AML susceptibility. The polymorphisms in the VDBP gene and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were analyzed in 227 AML patients and 240 healthy controls enrolled in this study. Our data revealed that rs4588 CA and AA genotypes were significantly associated with AML susceptibility (OR = 1.483, p = 0.046; OR = 2.154, p = 0.013, respectively) and also with 61.59% vitamin D deficiency in the total group of AML patients. Under the TG co-dominant and dominant models, however, the rs7041 genotypes were significantly associated with AML protection (OR < 0.6; p < 0.05). In addition, vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in vitamin-D-deficient vs. sufficient AML patients who carried rs7041 and rs4588 mutant alleles (OR ≥ 2.2). Indeed, vitamin D deficiency and its interaction with the genetic variants of VDBP could change the risk of AML. Thus, vitamin D deficiency could be considered an important molecular factor in AML risk assessment.