XRCC1 Arg399Gln Genetic Variant Increases Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a common health condition and one of the most prevalent and lethal  cancers worldwide. CRC is the third most leading cancer by incidence and second most common cause of cancer mortality. Emerging evidence showing that inherited genetic variants in genes coding for DNA repair enzymes have potential role in increasing the risk of CRC. Among these,  polymorphisms in the XRCC1 has been widely investigated, although the results have been varied in different populations.

The current meta-analysis is aimed to explain the relation between three XRCC1 polymorphisms and the CRC risk. Meta-analysis included a combined analysis of 52 case-controls studies including 23 Arg194Trp studies, 8 Arg280His studies, and 42 Arg399Gln studies.

The results of the present study revealed a statistically significant correlation between the Arg399Gln polymorphism and the increased risk of CRC (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01-1.20, p = 0.038, random effects model). However, subgroup analysis based on ethnicity revealed no statistical significance between CRC risk and XRCC1 polymorphisms in Asian and Caucasian populations. In addition, no publication bias was found in the current meta-analysis.

Overall, the data suggest that XRCC1 Arg399Gln might be associated with increased CRC susceptibility, while Arg194Trp and Arg280His are not significantly associated.