Quantitative assessment of the association between GNB3 C825T polymorphism and cancer risk.

PURPOSE The association between GNB3 C825T polymorphism and cancer risk has been investigated. However, results remain inconclusive. In this study we aimed to obtain a more precise estimation of this association. METHODS A meta-analysis of 8 eligible studies including 1,812 cancer cases and 3,731 controls was conducted with odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS The results demonstrated a borderline association between the GNB3 C825T polymorphism and the risk of overall cancer in the dominant model (TT+TC vs CC, OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.00-1.28, PH=0.71, p=0.05). In the stratified analysis by cancer type, significant association of cancer risk was observed in thyroid carcinoma (TC vs CC, OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.02-1.54, PH=0.63, p=0.03; TT+TC vs CC, OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.02-1.51, PH=0.70, p=0.04). After further stratified analysis based on country, the GNB3 C825T polymorphism showed statistically significant association with increased risk of cancer in Austria (TT vs CC, OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.01-2.04, PH-0.88, p-0.04; TT vs TT+TC, OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.07-2.64, PH=0.87, p=0.02) and Germany (TC vs CC, OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.02-1.53; PH=0.87, p=0.03; TT+TC vs CC, OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.02-1.49, PH-0.90, p-0.04). CONCLUSION The current meta-analysis suggested that the GNB3 C825T polymorphism may contribute to increased risk of cancer, especially of thyroid carcinoma.