Objective: Several studies have demonstrated associations between the TERT rs2736098 single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to cancer development. However, there are conflicting results. Asystematic 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, wereincluded. Crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of associations inseveral genetic models. Results: Our results showed no association reaching the level of statistical significancefor overall risk. Interestingly, in the stratified analyses (subdivided by ethnicity), significantly increased riskswere found in the Asian subgroup which indicates the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism may have controversialinvolvement in cancer susceptibility. Conclusions: Overall, this meta-analysis indicates that the TERT rs2736098polymorphism may have little involvement in cancer susceptibility.
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