Meta-analysis of the association between the IL-12B +1188 A/C polymorphism and cancer risk.
BACKGROUND
Because of inconsistent results from previous studies on the association of IL-12B +1188 A/C polymorphism with cancer risk, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association.


METHODS
A literature search was performed to identify all relevant studies to May 31, 2012, with a restriction to English and Chinese publications. Pooled data were estimated using a random-effects model.


RESULTS
17 publications were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the polymorphism was significantly associated with a decreased risk for overall cancer (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86, 0.76-0.97, p = 0.007; 0.80, 0.68-0.95, p = 0.012; and 0.88, 0.78-0.99, p = 0.032, respectively for dominant model, recessive model, and allele analysis) or nasopharyngeal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. This association was also found in Asians (OR, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.80-0.99, p = 0.031; 0.82, 0.68-0.98, p = 0.027; and 0.89, 0.80-1.00, p = 0.047, respectively for dominant model, recessive model, and allele analysis), but not in Europeans and Americans.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that the IL-12B +1188 A/C polymorphism could play a protective role in the development of cancer. More investigations involving various cancer types among various populations are needed.
Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Zaixing
Z
Yang
Yan
Y
Liang
Baodong
B
Qin
Renqian
R
Zhong
D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment
D005819:Genetic Markers; C500879:IL12B protein, human; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40