title: Association between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.
abstract: Emerging evidence suggests that a common functional polymorphism, rs4444903 (A>G), in the EGF gene might impact an individual's susceptibility to liver cancer; however, individually published results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer risk. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CBM databases from inception through May 1st, 2013. Seven case-control studies were included with a total of 1408 liver cancer cases and 1343 healthy controls. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Our meta-analysis results indicated that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism might be associated with an increased risk of liver cancer (G allele vs A allele: OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.01-1.56, P = 0.040; GG + AG vs AA: OR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.27-2.15, P < 0.001; GG vs AA: OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.34-2.35, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity also showed significant associations between the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism and an increased risk of liver cancer among Asian, Caucasian, and African populations. No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis suggests that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism may increase the risk of liver cancer. The EGF rs4444903 (A>G) polymorphism can be useful as a biomarker in predicting the development of liver cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China lyl-72@163.com.
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, The Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, The Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, The Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017594:Publication Bias
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor