Prospective associations between vitamin D status, vitamin D–related gene polymorphisms, and risk of tobacco-related cancers

International audienceBackground: Experimental evidence has suggested that vitamin D may be protective against tobacco-related cancers through the inhibition of the formation of tumors induced by tobacco carcinogens. To our knowledge, only one previous epidemiologic study investigated the association between vitamin D status and tobacco-related cancer risk, and no study has focused on vitamin D related gene polymorphisms. Objective: Our objective was to prospectively study the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, vitamin D related gene polymorphisms, and risk of tobacco-related cancers. Design: A total of 209 tobacco-related cancers were diagnosed within the SU.VI.MAX (Supplementation en vitamines et mineraux anti-oxydants) cohort (1994-2007) and were matched with 418 controls as part of a nested case-control study. Tobacco-related cancers (i.e., cancers for which tobacco is one of the risk factors) included several sites in the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and urinary systems. Total plasma 25(OH)D was assessed with the use of an electrochemoluminescent assay. Polymorphisms were determined with the use of a Taq-Man assay. Conditional logistic regression models were computed. Results: A 25(OH)D concentration >= 30 ng/mL was associated with reduced risk of tobacco-related cancers (OR for 30 compared with = 30 ng/mL] was associated with decreased risk of tobacco-related cancers, especially in smokers. These results, which are supported by mechanistic plausibility, suggest that vitamin D may contribute to the prevention of tobacco-induced cancers in smokers and deserve additional investigation