Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency is associated with the risk of non-small cell lung cancer in a Chinese population

Background: The association between vitamin D levels and lung cancer risk varies among distinct demographic populations; however, whether vitamin D levels are related to the risk of lung cancer in Chinese population is unknown.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the association of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level with the risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 100 NSCLC patients and, 100 age-, gender-, blood-collection-season- and resident area-matched, cancer-free controls were recruited. Plasma 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 levels were measured by LC/MS/MS mass spectrometry and HPLC. A logistic regression model was applied to estimate the association between 25(OH)D concentrations and NSCLC risk.

Results: Multivariable analysis showed that smoking history, and 25(OH)D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) were related to a higher risk of NSCLC (P = 0.03). In addition, late stage (stage IIIB-IV) NSCLC was associated with lower 25(OH)D levels, as indicated by univariate analysis. Similarly, multivariate analysis showed that late stage (IIIB-IV) NSCLC was related to 25(OH)D deficiency.

Conclusions: Plasma 25(OH)D deficiency is significantly associated with a higher risk of NSCLC, specifically late stage NSCLC.