Association Between p53 Arg72Pro Polymorphism and the Risk of Human Papillomavirus-related Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

This study aimed to investigate the association between p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and the risk of humanpapillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by conducting meta-analysis.The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies until May 30, 2013. Relevant studies were selected anddata were extracted by two independent authors. Overall, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were then conductedusing the Comprehensive Meta- Analysis v2.2 software. Wild-genotype ArgArg was considered as reference [oddsratio (OR) = 1.00]. Nine studies involving 1071 HNSCC cases were obtained. Meta-analysis results indicatedno association between p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and the risk of HPV-related HNSCC: for Pro/Pro vs.Arg/Arg, OR = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70–1.98; for Arg/Pro vs. Arg/ Arg, OR = 1.25, 95% CI =0.97–1.72; and for (Pro/Pro + Arg/Pro) vs. Arg/Arg, OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 0.95–1.70. These meta-analysis resultswere supported by subgroup and sensitivity analysis results. In conclusions, p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism is apotential marker of HP infection-related HNSCC rather than a susceptibility gene polymorphism.