• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4909-4914
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) review and meta-analysis was to derive a more precise estimation of the association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism (Arg72Pro, rs1042522 G>C) and cervical cancer risk among Asians. Methods: A literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and CBM databases from inception through June 2012 was conducted. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of any association. Twenty-eight case-control studies were included with a total of 3,580 cervical cancer cases and 3,827 healthy controls. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, the results showed that the Pro/Pro genotype was associated with increased risk of cervical cancer under the heterozygous model (Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Pro: OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.02-1.53, P= 0.005). However, no statistically significant associations were found under four other genetic models (Pro vs. Arg: OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.85-1.10, P= 0.624; Pro/Pro + Arg/Pro vs. Arg/Arg: OR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.70-1.01, P= 0.058; Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg + Arg/Pro: OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 0.92-1.39, P= 0.242; Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg: OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.76-1.22, P= 0.765; respectively). In the subgroup analysis based on country, the Pro/Pro genotype and Pro carrier showed significant associations with increased risk of cervical cancer among Indian populations, but not among Chinese, Japanese and Korean populations. Conclusion: Results from the current meta-analysis suggests that p53 codon 72 polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of cervical cancer, especially among Indians.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2020

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with systemic inflammatory arthritis. This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the association between occupational exposure to silica and the risk of developing RA among different workers. Methods: In this meta-analysis, we searched relevant published studies using major electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar search engine up to October 2019, and the references of retrieved articles were also checked for further possible sources. A random-effects model was used to account for heterogeneity among the results of the studies using the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Q-statistic and I² tests were calculated to assess heterogeneity between the studies. Results: The pooled calculation of OR indicated a significant association between occupational exposure to silica and risk of developing RA among different workers (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.73 to 3.45). In addition, the pooled estimates of OR in smokers were statistically significant (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.13 to 3.86). Conclusions: The findings of the present study reveal that occupational exposure to silica may be associated with increased risk of developing RA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.341-346
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• 2021

Background: The results differ among published studies regarding exposure to meconium and the risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Purpose: The present study pooled all of the epidemiologic studies retrieved from broader databases on the association between meconium exposure and risk of developing ASD in children. Methods: The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched without language restrictions for articles published between their inception to February 20, 2020, using relevant keywords. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as random-effect estimates of the associations among studies. A subgroup analysis was conducted to explore any potential sources of heterogeneity among studies. Results: The pooled estimate of OR reported a weakly significant association between meconium exposure and ASD development in children (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.24). There was low heterogeneity among the articles reporting risk for ASD among children (I²=19.3%; P=0.259). The results of subgroup analysis based on meconium exposure showed a significant association between a meconium-stained neonate and ASD development (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24). Couclusion: Meconium exposure was weakly associated with an increased risk of ASD. However, more evidence based on large prospective cohort studies is required to provide conclusive evidence about whether meconium exposure is associated with an increased risk of ASD development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1881-1895
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• 2015

Background: The vascular endothelial growth factor family has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The prognostic value of each vascular endothelial growth factor family member, particular VEGF/VEGFR co-expression, in patients with non-small lung cancer remains controversial. Materials and Methods: Relevant literature was identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies evaluating expression of VEGFs and/or VEGFRs by immunohistochemistry or ELISA in lung cancer tissue were eligible for inclusion. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from individual study were pooled by using a fixed- or random-effect model, heterogeneity and publication bias analyses were also performed. Results: 74 studies covering 7,631 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Regarding pro-angiogenesis factors, the expression of VEGFA (HR=1.633, 95%CI: 1.490-1.791) and VEGFR1 (HR=1.924, 95%CI: 1.220-3.034) was associated separately with poor survival. Especially, VEGFA over-expression was an independent prognostic factor in adenocarcinoma (ADC) (HR=1.775, 95%CI: 1.384-2.275) and SCC (HR=2.919, 95%CI: 2.060-4.137). Co-expression of VEGFA/VEGFR2 (HR=2.011, 95%CI: 1.405-2.876) was also significantly associated with worse survival. For lymphangiogenesis factors, the expression of VEGFC (HR=1.611, 95%CI: 1.407-1.844) predicted a poor prognosis. Co-expression of VEGFC/VEGFR3 (HR=2.436, 95%CI: 1.468-4.043) emerged as a preferable prognostic marker. Conclusions: The expression of VEGFA (particularly in SCC and early stage NSCLC), VEGFC, VEGFR1 indicates separately an unfavorable prognosis in patients with NSCLC. Co-expression VEGFA/VEGFR2 is comparable with VEGFC/VEGFR3, both featuring sufficient discrimination value as preferable as prognostic biologic markers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6855-6861
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• 2014

Background: Previous epidemiological studies have suggested a potential role of the $HSPA1B{\pm}1267A/G$ polymorphism in risk of developing cancer. However, the results were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to summarize the possible association with cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Studies were selected using specific criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess those associations. All analyses were performed using STATA software. Results: Fourteen case-control studies, including 1, 834 cancer cases and 2, 028 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that the G allele of HSPA1B gene ${\pm}1267A/G$ was significantly associated with an increased cancer risk in all genetic models (G vs A: OR=1.51, 95%CI 1.17-1.95, p=0.001; GG vs AA: OR=2.93, 95%CI 1.50-5.74, p=0.002; AG vs AA: OR=1.48, 95%CI 1.10-1.98, p=0.009; GG/AG vs AA: OR=1.69, 95%CI 1.22-2.33, p=0.001; GG vs AG/AA: OR=2.31, 95%CI 1.24-4.32, p=0.009). In the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity, a significant association was identified in Caucasians (G vs A: OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.08-1.69, p=0.008; GG/AG vs AA: OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.09-1.70, p=0.007), but not in Asians. In the stratified analysis by cancer types, individuals with the G allele showed an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma compared with carriers of the A allele (OR=2.40, 95%CI 1.47-3.91, p<0.001). Inversely, individuals with the GG genotype showed a decreased risk of gastric cancer compared with carriers of the AG/GG genotypes (GG vs AG/AA: OR=0.39, 95%CI 0.20-0.70, p=0.007). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests associations between the HSPA1B ${\pm}1267A/G$ polymorphism and risk of cancer. However, this association might be Caucasian-specific and the G allele of this polymorphism probably increases risk of hepatocellular carcinoma while decreasing risk of gastric cancer. Further well-designed studies based on larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2517-2522
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• 2014

Background: Several recent studies have explored associations between pre-mir-218 polymorphism (rs11134527) and cancer risk. However, published data are still inconclusive. To obtain a more precise estimation of the relationship in the Chinese population, we carried out a meta-analysis for the first time. Materials and Methods: Through retrieval from the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, a total of four studies were analyzed with 3,561 cases and 3,628 controls for SNP pre-mir-218 rs11134527. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) to explore the strength of associations. Results: The results showed that the rs11134527 polymorphism was associated with decreased cancer risk in GG versus AA and GG versus AA+AG models tested ( GG vs AA: OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.71-0.94; GG vs AA+AG: OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.74-0.96), and significantly decreased cervical cancer risk was observed in GG versus AA and GG versus AA+AG models (GG vs AA: OR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.66-0.94; GG vs AA+AG: OR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.68-0.94). However, no significant association between the rs11134527polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma risk was observed in all comparison models tested (AG vs AA: OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.79-1.11; GG vs AA: OR=0.88, 95%CI: 0.70-1.10; GG+AG vs AA: OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.79-1.08; GG vs AA+AG: OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.75-1.11). Conclusion: The findings suggest that pre-miR-218 rs11134527 polymorphism may have some relation to cancer development in Chinese. However, well-designed studies with larger sample size and more detailed data are needed to confirm these conclusions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9661-9666
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• 2014

Background: A number of studies have identified a shared susceptibility locus in phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas (GCA). However, the results of PLCE1 expression in esophageal and gastric cancer remain inconsistent and controversial. Moreover, the effects on clinicopathological features remain undetermined. This study aimed to provide a precise quantification of the association between PLCE1 expression and the risk of ESCC and GCA through meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Wanfang Data, ISI Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Using RevMan5.2 software, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess the association of PLCE1 expression with clinicopathological features relative to ESCC or GCA. Results: Seven articles were identified, including 761 esophageal and gastric cancer cases and 457 controls. Overall, we determined that PLCE1 expression was associated with tumor progression in both esophageal cancers (pooled OR=5.93; 95%CI=3.86 to 9.11) and gastric cancers (pooled OR=9.73; 95%CI=6.46 to 14.7). Moreover, invasion depth (pooled OR=3.62; 95%CI=2.30 to 5.70) and lymph node metastasis (pooled OR=4.21; 95%CI=2.69 to 6.59) were linked with PLCE1 expression in gastric cancer. However, no significant associations were determined between PLCE1 overexpression and the histologic grade, invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer. Conclusions: Our metaanalysis results indicated that upregulated PLCE1 is significantly associated with an increased risk of tumor progression in ESCC and GCA. Therefore, PLCE1 expression can be appropriately regarded as a promising biomarker for ESCC and GCA patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2929-2937
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• 2015

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) produces nitric oxide and genetic polymorphisms of NOS3 gene play significant roles in various processes of carcinogenesis. The results from published studies on the association between NOS3 G894T and NOS3 intron 4 (4a/b) polymorphisms and cancer risk are conflicting and inconclusive. However, i n order to assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed with PubMed (Medline), EMBASE and Google web searches until February 2014 to select all published case-control and cohort studies. Genotype distribution data were collected to calculate the pooled odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the strength of association. A total of 10,546 cancer cases and 10,550 controls were included from twenty four case-control studies for the NOS3 G894T polymorphism. The results indicated no significant association with cancer risk as observed in allelic (T vs G: OR=1.024, 95%CI=0.954 to 1.099, p=0.508), homozygous (TT vs GG: OR=1.137, 95%CI=0.944 to 1.370, p=0.176), heterozygous (GT vs GG: OR=0.993, 95%CI=0.932 to 1.059, p=0.835), recessive (TT vs GG+GT: OR=1.100, 95%CI=0.936 to 1.293, p=0.249) and dominant (TT+GT vs GG: OR=1.012, 95%CI=0.927 to 1.105, p=0.789) genetic models. Similarly, a total of 3,449 cancer cases and 3,691 controls were recruited from fourteen case-control studies for NOS3 4a/b polymorphism. Pooled results indicated no significant association under allelic (A vs B: OR=0.981, 95%CI=0.725 to 1.329, p=0.902), homozygous (AA vs BB: OR=1.166, 95%CI=0.524 to 2.593, p=0.707), heterozygous (BA vs BB: OR=1.129, 95%CI=0.896 to 1.422, p=0.305), dominant (AA+BA vs BB: OR=1.046, 95%CI=0.779 to 1.405, p=0.763) and recessive (AA vs BB+BA: OR=1.196, 95%CI=0.587 to 2.439, p=0.622) genetic contrast models. This meta-analysis suggests that G894T and 4a/b polymorphisms of NOS3 gene are not associated with increased or decreased risk of overall cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.399-403
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• 2013

Background: Several studies have reported the role of the miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for several digestive cancers. However, the results have been controversial. Therefore, we conducted the present meta-analysis to obtain the most reliable estimate of the association. Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled to assess the strength of the association between miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism and digestive cancer risk. A total of four eligible studies including 3,447 cases and 5,041 controls based on the search criteria were included. Results: We observed that miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism was not significantly correlated with digestive cancer risks when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. While we found that miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism was not associated with gastric cancer, it was significantly linked with hepatocellular cancer risk (the homozygote codominant model: OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.04-1.87). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, significant associations were observed in Chinese population for the allele contrast model (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.12-1.38), for the homozygote codominant model (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.28-2.04), and for the recessive model (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.16-1.64). However, studies with Asian groups presented no significant association for all genetic models. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism is a low-penetrant risk factor for digestive cancers in Chinese.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.189-193
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• 2013

Many epidemiological studies in Asian populations have investigated associations between the Arg399Gln gene polymorphism of X-ray repair cross complementing gene 1 (XRCC1) and risk of cervical carcinoma, but no conclusions have been available because of controversial results. Therefore a meta-analysis was conducted for clarification. Relevant studies were identified by searching the Pubmed, Embase, the Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration's database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and China Biological Medicinse (CBM) until September, 2012. A total of eight studies were included in the present meta-analysis, which described 1,759 cervical carcinoma cases and 2,497 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) as effect size were calculated by fixed-effect or random-effect models. The overall results indicated that the XRCC1-399G/A polymorphism was marginally associated with cervical carcinoma in Asians: OR (95%CI): 1.16 (1.07, 1.26) in the G/A vs G/G inheritance model, 1.24 (0.87, 1.76)in A/A vs G/G inheritance model, 1.13 (1.01, 1.27) in the dominant inheritance model and 1.18 (0.94, 1.47) in the recessive inheritance model. Subgroup analyses on sample size showed no significant correlation in the small-sample size group but the large-sample size group was consistent with the outcomes of overall meta-analysis. In the subgroup analysis by regions, we only found significant association under the G/A vs G/G inheritance model in the Chinese population. For the non-Chinese populations, no correlation was detected in any genetic inheritance model. In the Asian populations, XRCC1-399G/A gene polymorphism was implied to be associated with cervical carcinoma.