Common variants in the PALB2 gene confer susceptibility to breast cancer: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Increasing scientific evidence suggests that common variants in the PALB2 gene may confer susceptibility to breast cancer, but many studies have yielded inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between PALB2 genetic variants and breast cancer risk.


METHODS
An extensive literary search for relevant studies was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CISCOM, CINAHL, Google Scholar, CNKI and CBM databases from their inception through September 1st, 2013. A meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software and crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.


RESULTS
Six case-control studies were included with a total of 4,499 breast cancer cases and 6,369 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis reveals that PALB2 genetic variants may increase the risk of breast cancer (allele model: OR>1.36, 95%CI: 1.20~1.52, P < 0.001; dominant model: OR>1.64, 95%CI: 1.42~1.91, P < 0.001; respectively). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity indicated PALB2 genetic variants were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among both Caucasian and Asian populations (all P < 0.05). No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis (all P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The current meta-analysis indicates that PALB2 genetic variants may increase the risk of breast cancer. Thus, detection of PALB2 genetic variants may be a promising biomarker approach.
Department of Ultrasonography, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, Shenyang, China E-mail : cmu1h_zyx@126.com.
Yi-Xia
YX
Zhang
Xue-Mei
XM
Wang
Shu
S
Kang
Xiang
X
Li
Jing
J
Geng
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000076164:Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group N Protein; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000076164:Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group N Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C512790:PALB2 protein, human; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins