title: TERT rs2736098 polymorphism and cancer risk: results of a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have demonstrated associations between the TERT rs2736098 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to cancer development. However, there are conflicting results. A systematic meta-analysis was therefore performed to establish the cancer risk associated with the polymorphism.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this meta-analysis, a total of 6 case-control studies, including 5,567 cases and 6,191 controls, were included. Crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of associations in several genetic models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed no association reaching the level of statistical significance for overall risk. Interestingly, in the stratified analyses (subdivided by ethnicity), significantly increased risks were found in the Asian subgroup which indicates the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism may have controversial involvement in cancer susceptibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, this meta-analysis indicates that the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism may have little involvement in cancer susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Hao-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Ai-Hua
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012306:Risk; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase