Is there a causal relationship between vitamin D and melanoma risk? : A Mendelian randomization study

Background

Several preclinical studies have identified the antiproliferative effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D; vitamin D]. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is essential for vitamin D synthesis yet increases the risk of melanoma. Observational studies on the association of vitamin D levels with melanoma risk have reported inconclusive results, and are difficult to interpret owing to the potential confounding from the dual role of UVR.

Objectives

To determine whether there is a causal association between genetically predicted 25(OH)D concentrations and melanoma using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods

We performed MR using summary data from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of melanoma risk, consisting of 12 874 cases and 23 203 controls. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 25(OH)D concentration – rs12785878, rs10741657, rs2282679, rs6013897 and rs116970203 – were selected as instrumental variables. An inverse variance weighted method was used to access the evidence for causality. MR results from the melanoma meta-analysis were combined with results from an MR study based on a melanoma risk GWAS using UK Biobank data.

Results

A 20 nmol L¯¹ decrease in 25(OH)D was not associated with melanoma risk [odds ratio (OR) 1·06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·95–1·19]. Results from the UK Biobank were concordant with this, with meta-analysis of our and UK Biobank-derived MR causal estimates showing no association (OR 1·02, 95% CI 0·92–1·13 for a 20 nmol L¯¹ decrease).

Conclusions

The results suggest that vitamin D levels may not be causally associated with the risk of melanoma.