Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

Purpose: The steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is thought to protect against breast cancer. The actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and a number of polymorphisms in the VDR gene have been identified. These result in distinct genotypes, some of which may alter susceptibility to breast cancer.

Approaches to evaluating the association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with breast cancer risk.

The steroid hormone 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 is thought to protect against breast cancer. Its actions are mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and a number of polymorphisms in the VDR gene have been identified, some of which may alter susceptibility to breast cancer. This study has investigated whether specific VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer risk in a UK Caucasian population.