Circulating DBP level and prognosis in operated lung cancer: an exploration of pathophysiology

Vitamin D stimulates transcription of anti-angiogenic and apoptotic factors that may suppress tumours, whilst vitamin D binding protein (DBP) may be a biomarker in murine lung cancer models. We sought to ascertain if the vitamin D axis is altered in lung cancer or influences prognosis.148 lung cancer patients, 68 other intrathoracic cancer patients and 33 non-cancer controls were studied for up to 5 years. Circulating DBP and vitamin D levels were compared between groups and their effect on survival assessed by Cox regression analysis. Expression of DBP and vitamin D receptor (VDR) was examined in lung cancer cell lines and in normal and tumour lung tissue by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Low serum DBP levels predicted lung cancer specific death (p=0.04), and DBP was poorly expressed in lung cancer cells on Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Vitamin D did not predict cancer survival, and VDR expression was variable in tumours.Preservation of serum DBP is a significant independent factor associated with better cancer outcome in operated lung cancer patients. Given the established role of DBP in macrophage activation and clearance of abnormal cells further study on its involvement in lung cancer is merited.

Turner A et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 May 20;105(20):7252-6. Epub 2008 May 14.