Amal Ahmed Mohamed1, Ahmed Moustafa Aref2, Soha M Talima3, Reham A A Elshimy4, Shawkat S Gerges5, Mohamed Meghed5, Fawkia Eissa Zahran6, Eman H El-Adawy7, Sherief Abd-Elsalam8. 1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research institute, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. 2. Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), 6th October City, Giza City, Giza, Egypt. 3. Department of Clinical Oncology, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine (NEMROCK), Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza City, Giza, Egypt. 4. Department of Clinical Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo Governorate, Mansoura City, Egypt. 5. Department of Surgery, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research institute, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. 6. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. 7. Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Elgomhouria St., Mansoura City, Egypt. 8. Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, l-Gaish, Tanta Qism 2, Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in Egypt. Few studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between vitamin D serum level and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms with the survival of PC patients. This is the first study in Egypt to investigate the association of the status of vitamin D serum level and genotypic distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) Fok1 with the risk of developing PC and whether they could detect survival or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 47 PC cases that were histopathologically proven to have PC, and 37 controls that were attending at the same time for investigation but proved that they were all PC free. Pre-diagnostic concentrations of vitamin D and VDR polymorphism Fok1 were assessed from all participants in the study. RESULTS: There was a 1.5-fold increase in the serum level of vitamin D in PC patients when compared to non-PC subjects. Regarding VDR Fok1, polymorphism distribution in PC was CC (Wild Type) 26 (55.3%), CT 16 (34%), and TT 5 patients (10.7%). For the control group, CC was found in 24 (64.8%), CT in 12 (32.4%), and TT genotype was found only in one individual 1 (2.8%) with no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups (P 0.72). CONCLUSION: Low serum vitamin D or VDR-SNP is not a risk factor for PC in Egyptian patients. Recommendations to increase vitamin D concentrations in healthy persons for the prevention of cancer and improving overall survival should be carefully considered.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in Egypt. Few studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between vitamin D serum level and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms with the survival of PC patients. This is the first study in Egypt to investigate the association of the status of vitamin D serum level and genotypic distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) Fok1 with the risk of developing PC and whether they could detect survival or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 47 PC cases that were histopathologically proven to have PC, and 37 controls that were attending at the same time for investigation but proved that they were all PC free. Pre-diagnostic concentrations of vitamin D and VDR polymorphism Fok1 were assessed from all participants in the study. RESULTS: There was a 1.5-fold increase in the serum level of vitamin D in PC patients when compared to non-PC subjects. Regarding VDR Fok1, polymorphism distribution in PC was CC (Wild Type) 26 (55.3%), CT 16 (34%), and TT 5 patients (10.7%). For the control group, CC was found in 24 (64.8%), CT in 12 (32.4%), and TT genotype was found only in one individual 1 (2.8%) with no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups (P 0.72). CONCLUSION: Low serum vitamin D or VDR-SNP is not a risk factor for PC in Egyptian patients. Recommendations to increase vitamin D concentrations in healthy persons for the prevention of cancer and improving overall survival should be carefully considered.