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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Association between telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Authors: Cho Naing, Kyan Aung, Pei Kuan Lai, Joon Wah Mak

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Human chromosomes are capped and stabilized by telomeres. Telomere length regulates a ‘cellular mitotic clock’ that defines the number of cell divisions and hence, cellular life span. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

We searched relevant studies in electronic databases. When two or more observational studies reported the same outcome measures, we performed pooled analysis. All the analyses were performed on PBL using PCR. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association.

Results

Seven studies (with 8 datasets) were included in this meta-analysis; 3 prospective studies, 3 retrospective studies and 1 study with a separate prospective and retrospective designs. The pooled analysis of 4 prospective studies (summary OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77–1.34, I 2:30%) and 4 retrospective studies (summary OR 1.65, 95% CI: 0.96–2.83, I 2:96%) showed no relationship between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk. A subgroup analysis of 2 prospective studies exclusively on females also showed no association between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk (summary OR, 1.17, 95% CI:0.72–1.91, I 2:57%).

Conclusion

The current analysis is insufficient to provide evidence on the relationship between PBL telomere length and the risk of CRC. Findings suggest that there may be a complex relationship between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk or discrepancy between genetics, age of patients and clinical studies. Future well powered, large prospective studies on the relationship between telomere length and the risk of CRC, and the investigations of the biologic mechanisms are recommended.
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Metadata
Title
Association between telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors
Cho Naing
Kyan Aung
Pei Kuan Lai
Joon Wah Mak
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-016-2997-3

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