Meta-analysis: tumour invasion-related genetic polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility.
BACKGROUND
Host genetic susceptibility has been suggested as one of the most important possible explanations for interindividual difference in gastric cancer (GC) risk.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of tumour invasion-related gene polymorphisms, which may be involved in a variety of processes during GC development, such as cell adhesion and angiogenesis, on the risk of GC.


METHODS
We reviewed published studies on tumour invasion-related gene polymorphisms and GC susceptibility until 31 March 2008, and then quantitatively summarized associations of the most widely-studied polymorphism, CDH1 -160C>A, with GC using meta-analysis.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven eligible studies were included in this review. Fourteen polymorphisms significantly related to GC in at least one study were identified. For several polymorphisms, heterogeneous results were observed and associations in opposite directions were seen among Asian and Caucasian populations. In meta-analysis, CDH1 -160C>A showed an inverse association with GC among Asians (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.55-1.05) and a positive association among Caucasians (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.95-2.04).


CONCLUSIONS
This review suggests that genetic polymorphisms in tumour invasion could be candidate biomarkers of GC risk. However, differences between populations and stages of cancer need to be taken into account and may explain some of the inconsistencies found in previous studies.
Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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L
Gao
A
A
Nieters
H
H
Brenner
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; C513384:CDH1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins