Association Between XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Glioma Development: A Meta-analysis

Objective: Previous studies of the association between X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) genepolymorphisms and the gliomas risk have yielded conflicting results, and thus a meta-analysis was performedto provide a more accurate estimation.
Methods: A computerized literature search of 5 electronic databases wasconducted to identify the relevant studies. Fixed or random effect models were selected based on the heterogeneitytest. Publication bias was estimated using Begg’s funnel plots and Egger’s regression test.
Results: A total of 11studies (3,810 cases and 6,079 controls), 7 studies (2,928 cases and 5,048 controls), and 4 studies (1,461 cases and2,593 controls) were finally included in the analyses of the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp,and Arg280His polymorphisms and glioma risk, respectively. The pooled results showed that GlnGln carriagewas associated with moderately increased risk of gliomas in Asians (GlnGln vs. ArgArg, OR=1.490, 95%CI1.031-2.153; GlnGln/ArgGln vs. ArgArg, OR=1.321, 95%CI 1.037- 1.684), whereas a marginal association wasrevealed in Caucasians. For the Arg194Trp polymorphism, although a significant association was shown inthe homozygous genotype comparisons (TrpTrp vs. ArgArg, OR = 2.209, 95%CI 1.398- 2.945), no significantlink was found on subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity. With regard to the Arg280His polymorphism, nosignificant association was found in each comparison. No particular study was found to significantly influencethe pooled results, and no potential publication bias was detected.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggestedthat the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism is moderately associated with increased risk of gliomas in Asians,while Arg194Trp and Arg280His polymorphisms demonstrated no significant influence. Due to the limited studiesand the potential confounders, further studies are needed to confirm these results.