XPC 939A>C and 499C>T Polymorphisms and Skin Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

The xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C gene (XPC) has been identified as important forrepairing UV-related DNA damage. Some subtle changes in this gene may impair repair efficiency and influencesusceptibility to human cancers, including skin cancer. Two polymorphisms in XPC, 939A>C (rs2228001) and499C>T (rs2228000), are considered to have possible associations with the risk of skin cancer, but the reportedresults have been inconsistent. Here we performed a meta-analysis of the available evidence regarding therelationship between these two polymorphisms and the risk of skin cancer. All relevant studies were searchedusing PubMed, Embase and Web of Science before February 2012. A total of 8 case-control studies were includedin this analysis, and no convincing associations between the two polymorphisms and risk of skin cancer wereobserved in any of the genetic models. Stratified analyses by skin cancer type also did not detect significantassociations in any subgroup. This meta-analysis suggested that the XPC 939A>C and 499C>T polymorphismsmay have little involvement in susceptibility to skin cancer.