FAS-1377 A/G polymorphism in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

FAS is a cell surface receptor involved in apoptotic signaling in many cell types including cells of the immune system. The -1377 A/G polymorphism of FAS gene has been detected in breast cancer. However, the published evidence regarding the -1377 A/G polymorphism and breast cancer risk has generated controversial results. We performed a meta-analysis of five case-control association studies totaling to 5,995 study subjects including 2,905 cases and 3,090 controls. The combined odd ratios (ORs) with its 95% CIs were used to assess the association of the -1377 A/G polymorphism correlated with breast cancer susceptibility with the fixed-effects model. The combined results showed significantly increased risk associated with the -1377 A/G polymorphism under AA vs. GG genetic model (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.04-1.58; heterogeneity test: P = 0.614, I (2)  = 0.0%), AA vs. GA + GG genetic model (OR = 1.24, 95 CI = 1.02-1.51; heterogeneity test: P = 0.349, I (2)  = 10.0%), and allele model A vs. G (OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.02-1.20; heterogeneity test: P = 0.422, I (2)  = 0.0%). Similarly, significant association was found in Asians. In stratified analyses by control source, a higher risk was indicated in the hospital-based studies rather than the population-based studies. This meta-analysis suggests that the -1377 A/G polymorphism is likely to be associated with the risk of breast cancer, especially the A allele in Asians.