title: Vitamin D and VDR gene polymorphism (FokI) in epithelial ovarian cancer in Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism, FokI, is reported to increase the risk of many cancers. Role of vitamin D and its receptor polymorphisms in ovarian cancer has not been clearly defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the levels of serum vitamin D and occurrence of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (FokI) in cases of ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  FokI genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP technique and vitamin D levels were estimated by chemiluminescence immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum vitamin D levels were significantly (p < 0.03) lower in ovarian cancer cases as compared to controls. The homozygous (TT) and heterozygous (CT) genotype predispose to the development of ovarian cancer in Indian population (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.04-5.44) as compared to the homozygous (CC) genotype. Vitamin D deficiency and VDR gene polymorphism (FokI) act non-synergistically (p value < 0.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low blood levels of vitamin D and VDR receptor polymorphism (FokI) might be a risk factor for the development of ovarian cancer. Other novel ligands of vitamin D receptor might be responsible for the non-synergistic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110002, India. sudhesna.moh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sudhesna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.forename: Alpana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: Gauri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Bidhan Chandra
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Koner
authors.forename: Prakash Chandra
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ray