XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cancer Epidemiology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The link between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer (TC) susceptibility is debated.
• Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding this association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve the controversy surrounding the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer risk.
• To conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of existing case-control studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed and CNKI databases.
• Meta-analysis of seven eligible case-control studies (1500 cases, 2358 controls).
• Estimation of pooled odds ratios (ORs) using fixed and random effects models, with heterogeneity and publication bias assessments.

Main Results:

• The overall meta-analysis did not find a significant association between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer susceptibility.
• Subgroup analysis revealed a potential protective effect of the C allele (vs. T allele) in the Chinese population (OR=0.82).
• No significant associations were observed in the Caucasian population across all genetic models.

Conclusions:

• The XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism is not significantly associated with overall thyroid cancer risk.
• The C allele of XRCC1 may confer an 18% reduced risk of thyroid cancer specifically in the Chinese population.
• No significant association was found for Caucasians.