To update data on the role of
vitamin D receptor (VDR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in susceptibility to
prostate cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of 36 eligible publications on the association of Taql,
Apal, Bsml, Fokl and CDX2 SNPs of the VDR gene with
prostate cancer risk. Our study suggested that the Taql t and Bsml B alleles were associated with reduced
prostate cancer risk among all study populations. Stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed that the
Apal a allele was associated with reduced
prostate cancer risk only among Asian populations, whereas the Fokl f allele showed a trend of increased
prostate cancer risk only among Caucasian populations in a dominant model, independent of
tumor stage (local or advanced). These results suggest that VDR polymorphisms may be potential
biomarkers for
prostate cancer susceptibility.