Correlation of VEGF +405C/G Polymorphism with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Cancer Epidemiology

Background:

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) functional polymorphisms influence angiogenesis and tumor development.
• Previous studies on the association between VEGF +405C/G polymorphism and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer risk yielded inconsistent results.
• A meta-analysis is needed to clarify the role of this polymorphism in GI cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis clarifying the association between the VEGF +405C/G polymorphism and the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers.
• To evaluate the overall association and stratified analyses based on ethnicity and cancer type.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct.
• Data from 23 studies, including 5,656 cases and 6,319 controls, were extracted and analyzed using MetaGenyo software.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the quality and relevance of the selected studies.

Main Results:

• Overall analysis and ethnicity-stratified analyses did not reveal a significant association between VEGF +405C/G polymorphism and overall GI cancer risk.
• Subgroup analysis indicated a significant association with increased risk for esophageal cancer under several genetic models.
• Specific models showed significant associations with decreased risk for esophageal cancer and altered risks for colorectal and pancreatic cancers.

Conclusions:

• The VEGF +405C/G polymorphism may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing individual cancer risk.
• The findings suggest a specific role for this polymorphism in the risk of developing esophageal, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.
• This meta-analysis provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between VEGF genetic variations and GI cancer susceptibility.