Current evidences on XPC polymorphisms and breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Published data on the association between three polymorphisms (Lys939Gln, Ala499Val, and PAT±) of Xeroderma Pigmentosum group C (XPC) and breast cancer risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of association between them. A total of 11 studies including 5,090 cases and 5,214 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. For XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (Lys/Gln vs. Lys/Lys: OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.92–1.10; Gln/Gln vs. Lys/Lys: OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.84–1.09; dominant model: OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.91–1.08; and recessive model: OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.86–1.09). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity or study design, still no obvious associations were found. For XPC Ala499Val polymorphism, also no obvious associations were found for all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (Val/Ala vs. Ala/Ala: OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.79–1.05; Val/Val vs. Ala/Ala: OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.80–1.44; dominant model: OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.81–1.06; and recessive model: OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.84–1.48). For XPC PAT± polymorphism, obvious associations were found for recessive model when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.05–1.89). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the XPC PAT± polymorphism allele may be a low-penetrant risk factor for developing breast cancer.