Common Variants in the PALB2 Gene Confer Susceptibility to Breast Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Objective: Increasing scientific evidence suggests that common variants in the PALB2 gene may confersusceptibility to breast cancer, but many studies have yielded inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed toderive a more precise estimation of the relationship between PALB2 genetic variants and breast cancer risk.
Methods: An extensive literary search for relevant studies was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science,Cochrane Library, CISCOM, CINAHL, Google Scholar, CNKI and CBM databases from their inception throughSeptember 1st, 2013. A meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software and crude odds ratios (ORs)with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Results: Six case-control studies were included with a totalof 4,499 breast cancer cases and 6,369 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis reveals that PALB2 genetic variantsmay increase the risk of breast cancer (allele model: OR>1.36, 95%CI: 1.20~1.52, P < 0.001; dominant model:OR>1.64, 95%CI: 1.42~1.91, P < 0.001; respectively). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity indicated PALB2 geneticvariants were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among both Caucasian and Asian populations(all P < 0.05). No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The currentmeta-analysis indicates that PALB2 genetic variants may increase the risk of breast cancer. Thus, detection ofPALB2 genetic variants may be a promising biomarker approach.