title: Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and the risk of renal cell carcinoma: Evidence from eight case-control studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein plays important role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development and progression. VEGF gene polymorphisms can alter the protein concentrations and might be associated with renal cell carcinoma risk. However, the results of studies investigating the association between VEGF polymorphisms and renal cell carcinoma risk are inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected eligible studies via electronic searches. Only high-quality studies were included based on specific inclusion criteria and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies primarily focusing on seven polymorphisms were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed dramatically high risks for renal cell carcinoma were found regarding most genetic models and alleles of the +936C/T polymorphism (except CT vs. CC). In addition, significant increased renal cell carcinoma risks were found regarding all genetic models and alleles of the -2578C/A polymorphism. However, no significant associations were found between renal cell carcinoma risk and the +1612G/A, -460T/C, -634G/C, -405G/C or -1154G/A polymorphisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis indicates that the +936C/T and -2578C/A polymorphisms of VEGF are associated with an increased risk for renal cell carcinoma. Additional rigorous analytical studies are needed to confirm our results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Zhongshan Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan, Guangdong 528403, China.
authors.forename: Mancheng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Zhongshan Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan, Guangdong 528403, China.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519020, China.
authors.forename: Zhirong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
authors.forename: Shaopeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Zhongshan Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan, Guangdong 528403, China.
authors.forename: Runqiang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: VEGF; gene polymorphism; meta-analysis; renal cell carcinoma; vascular endothelial growth factor