Association between WWOX and the risk of malignant tumor, especially among Asians: evidence from a meta-analysis

Many studies have been carried out to examine whether there are associations between WWOX polymorphisms (rs3764340 C>G, rs12918952 G>A, and rs383362 G>T) and malignant tumor risk, but the results from these studies remained inconsistent and even controversial. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationships comprehensively.

Published reports were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Eight eligible case-control studies were included in the final analysis. In the analysis, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated in five genetic models to assess the genetic risk. Egger's regression and Begg's funnel plots test were conducted to appraise the publication bias.

We found that rs12918952 G>A and rs383362 G>T polymorphisms were not associated with the susceptibility of malignant tumor. However, a significant correlation was found between WWOX rs3764340 C>G and malignant tumor risk in three genetic models (CG vs CC: OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.12-1.53, P=0.031; GG/CG vs CC: OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.54, P=0.014; G vs C: OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.09-1.50, P=0.009). Furthermore, when stratified by source of control, the results were significant especially in population-based control for rs3764340.

In general, our results first indicated that the rs3764340 C>G polymorphism in WWOX gene can increase the susceptibility of tumor, while the others cannot. However, large, well-designed epidemiological studies are required to verify our findings.