Transforming growth factor-β1 rs1800470 polymorphism is associated with lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Transforming growth factor-β1 is a member of a large class of polypeptides that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis of epithelial cells. The rs1800470 polymorphism influences transforming growth factor-β1 expression and has been associated with lung cancer susceptibility. However, the association between the rs1800470 polymorphism and lung cancer risk remains controversial. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted.

We comprehensively searched PubMed and EMBASE databases. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects models or fixed-effects models.

Overall, there was a significant association between rs1800470 polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility (OR=1.23; 95%CI, 1.03-1.47; P=0.02). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, we found that this polymorphism was significantly associated with lung cancer in Asians (OR=1.26; 95%CI, 1.01-1.57; P=0.04). However, we did not find any significant association between this polymorphism and lung cancer risk in Caucasians (OR=1.04; 95%CI, 0.60-1.82; P=0.88). In the NSCLC subgroup, we found that rs1800470 polymorphism could increase NSCLC risk (OR=1.36; 95%CI, 1.06-1.74; P=0.02).

This meta-analysis suggested that rs1800470 polymorphism was a risk factor of lung cancer.