The relationship between toll-like receptors 9 gene rs5743836 polymorphism and lymphoma risk: a meta-analysis

We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the potential relationship between the polymorphism of the rs5743836 gene of toll-like receptors 9 (TLR9) and the risk of lymphoma.

Statistical analysis of all data was performed using Stata 15.0. Heterogeneity tests for all selected studies were performed using the Chi-square-based Q test (P < 0.05 suggesting heterogeneity) and the I-square test, and the pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to evaluate the stability of the pooled results by funnel plot. Begg's regression test was also performed for possible publication bias in three genetic models.

We found that the TLR9 gene rs5743836 was significantly associated with the risk of lymphoma in the dominant genetic model (OR = 1.54, 95%CI = 1.03-2.32, P = 0.036). However, we found that the TLR9 gene rs5743836 was not significantly associated with lymphoma risk in the recessive genetic model (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.65-1.65, P = 0.873) and the allele genetic model (OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.93-1.76, P = 0.130). We also performed a sensitivity analysis by removing each eligible study, we found that there was no significant change in the merging effect and pooled ORs, which indicates good stability of the results of this study. Publication bias was tested using Begg's funnel plot, and the results suggested that no publication bias was observed in dominant genetic models (TC + CC vs. TT, P = 0.3486), recessive genetic models (CC vs. TC + TT, P = 0.829), and allelic genetic model (C vs. T, P = 0.463).

In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis indicated that the TLR9 gene rs5743836 was significantly associated with lymphoma risk in the dominant genetic model.