The CHEK2 I157T variant and colorectal cancer susceptibility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The cell cycle checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) gene I157T variant may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, but it is unclear whether the evidence is sufficient to recommend testing for the mutation in clinical practice.


METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASES, Elsevier and Springer for relevant articles before Apr 2012. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects models with Review Manager 5.0 software.


RESULTS
A total of seven studies including 4,029 cases and 13,844 controls based on the search criteria were included for analysis. A significant association of the CHEK2 I157T C variant with unselected CRC was found (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.40-1.87, P<0.001). We also found a significant association with sporadic CRC (OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.23-1.77, P<0.001) and separately with familial CRC (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.41-2.74, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis demonstrates that the CHEK2 I157T variant may be another important CRC-predisposing gene, which increases CRC risk, especially in familial CRC.
Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Chuan
C
Liu
Qing-Shui
QS
Wang
Ya-Jie
YJ
Wang
D006801:Humans; D064447:Checkpoint Kinase 2; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors
D064447:Checkpoint Kinase 2; C578634:CHEK2 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases