The XRCC1 Arg399Gln Genetic Polymorphism Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility: An Updated Metaanalysis

The potential correlation of X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphismwith hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility is ambiguous. Taking account of inconsistent results ofprevious meta-analyses and new emerging literatures, we conducted a meta-analysis covering 15 case-controldatasets to evaluate the relationship. Relevant studies from Medline, Embase and CNKI were retrieved. A fixedeffectmodel or a random-effect model, depending on between-study heterogeneity, were applied to estimatethe association between XRCC1 polymorphism Arg399Gln and HCC risk with the results presented as oddsratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). In accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 15studies with data for 6,556 individuals were enrolled in this systematic review. For overall HCC,thr XRCC1polymorphism Arg399Gln was significantly associated with HCC susceptibility in a homozygote model as wellas in a dominant model (G/G vs. A/A, OR=1.253, p=0.028; G/G+A/G vs. A/A, OR= 1.281, p=0.047, respectively),but not in a heterozygote model (A/G vs. A/A, OR=1.271, p=0.066) or a recessive model (G/G vs. A/G + A/A,OR= 1.049, p=0.542). Similar results were also observed on stratification analysis by ethnicity (A/G vs. A/A,OR=1.357, p=0.025; G/G vs. A/A, OR=1.310, p=0.011; G/G+A/G vs. A/A, OR= 1.371, p=0.013). However, nopotential contribution of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism to HCC susceptibility in HBV/HCV subgroups wasidentified. No publication bias was found in this study. In conclusion, the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphismcontributes to HCC susceptibility. Due to the lack of studies in Western countries, further large-sample andrigorous studies are needed to validate the findings.