CDH1 promoter polymorphism and stomach cancer susceptibility

The relationship of stomach cancer susceptibility and the presence of E-cadherin (CDH1) promoter -160 C/A polymorphism had been reported with conflicting results. To further explore the association of this polymorphism with stomach cancer susceptibility, we performed an extensive search of relevant studies and carried out a meta-analysis to obtain a more precise estimate. A total of 16 studies including 2,611 cases and 3,788 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. When all studies involved, the meta-analysis results suggest no statistically significant association between CDH1 -160 C/A polymorphism and stomach cancer risk (CA vs. CC: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.85-1.19; AA vs. CC: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.75-1.46; dominant model: OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.86-1.20; recessive model: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.76-1.41). When subgroup analyses were performed by ethnicity, the A-allele carriers conferred a decreased stomach cancer risk in Asians (AA vs. CC: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.96; dominant model: OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.72-0.99), but no statistically significant association was found in Caucasians. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that CDH1 -160 A-allele may play a protective role of stomach cancer development in Asians but not in Caucasians.