Evaluation of Fok-I polymorphisms of VDR gene in Iraqi patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the most important cause of cancer death in human in many parts of the world. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) proto-oncogene has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in colorectal cells. Objective: The study was designed to determine a possible relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer. Methods : We investigated the VDR Fok-I gene polymorphisms in 55 colorectal patients and 60 matched healthy control. The study performed by polymerase chain reaction –based restriction fragment polymorphisms (RFLP). Results : The VDR Fok-I (TT) genotype distribution was significantly increased in patients compared with healthy controls(P ? 0.05 ) , and the carriers of VDR-Fok-I genotype (CT) also significantly increased in patients compared with control(P ? 0.05) . The allele T is associated the risk for disease 34(31%) compared with the healthy control 17 (14%) OR, 2.71, CI 95%, (1.41- 5.20), (P ? 0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that VDR Fok-I might affect the development of colorectal cancer.