Responsible enzymes for metabolizing vitamin D in patients with acute leukemia and the relationship with treatment outcomes: a case-control study.

Anti-cancer properties of vitamin D have been reported in studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of some key enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism and the serum levels of related proteins. Fifty-four patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 55 eligible individuals were studied as the control group. The expression of VDR, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 genes was measured. Serum levels of related proteins were quantified. The association between the studied variables and treatment outcomes: duration of fever and neutropenia, length of hospital stay, achievement of complete remission and overall survival has been investigated. Expression of CYP24A1 gene and serum levels of CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 proteins were significantly higher in the patient group. CYP24A1 gene expression, its blood concentrations and serum levels of CYP27B1 were significantly higher in the AML group. Vitamin D status and key enzymes did not show a strong change in AML patients neither did associate with treatment outcomes except CYP24A1.