Lack of associations between XPC polymorphisms and colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The relationships between XPC polymorphisms (Lys939Gln and Ala499Val) and the susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) have been studied by several researchers, but the results were inconclusive. To get a more precise estimation of the relationships, we conducted this meta-analysis. METHODS A total of 9 case-control studies, including 3679 cases and 33551 controls for Lys939Gln and 1327 cases and 30438 controls for Ala499Val, were selected. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the additive, dominant and recessive models. RESULTS When all the studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, no evidence showing a significant association between XPC polymorphisms and CRC risk was noticed. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity and study design, no significant association was also found. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicated that the XPC polymorphisms were not risk factors for the development of CRC.