Association between ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism and the risk of esophageal cancer

Abstract

Objective: A meta-analysis was carried out to further evaluate the relationship between ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk.

Methods: A total number of 15 studies that included 3812 cases and 7376 controls were identified for our meta-analysis.

Results: Our findings indicated that individuals with the combination of Glu/Lys and Lys/Lys genotype had an increased risk of getting esophageal cancer (GA + AA vs. GG: odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-2.00, P = 0.113) with a shift pattern. Although Lys/Lys genotype carriers showed areduced esophageal cancer risk (AA vs. GA + GG: OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.72, P = 0.002). Similarly, a negative association was observed under homozygote comparison (AA vs. GG: OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.85, P = 0.011). In the China subgroup analysis, the similar results were found.

Conclusions: This meta-analysis concluded that there was a strong association between ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism and the risk of esophageal cancer. It further confirmed that ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism was a high-risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Figure 1

Flow chart of selection of studies and specific reasons for exclusion from our meta-analysis.

Figure 2

Forest plots (A, C, and E) and Begg funnel plot (B, D, and F) for all studies under dominant model (A and B), recessive model (C and D), and homozygote model (E and F).

Figure 3

Forest plots (A, C, and E) and Begg funnel plot (B, D, and F) for China subgroup under dominant model (A and B), recessive model (C and D), and homozygote model (E and F).