Pro variant of TP53 Arg72Pro contributes to gastric cancer risk in Asians: evidence from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Previous studies investigating the association between TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and gastric cancer (GC) risk in Asian population have reported controversial results. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted and 17 case-control studies were finally included, involving a total of 5,990 GC cases and 6,812 controls. Subgroup analyses were performed by the sample size. RESULTS Meta-analysis of all 17 studies showed variant genotypes of TP53 Arg72Pro to be associated with an elevated GC risk in three genetic comparison models (OR(Pro vs. Arg)=1.13, 95%CI 1.03-1.25, P(OR)=0.01; OR(Homozygote comparison model)=1.33, 95%CI 1.07-1.64, P(OR)=0.009; OR(Dominant genetic model)=1.13, 95%CI 1.05-1.22, P(OR)=0.002). Besides, a more obvious association was observed after the heterogeneity was decreased (all P values less than 0.001). This association was further identified by both subgroup and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggests the Pro variant of TP53 Arg72Pro contributes to gastric cancer risk in Asians.