Background: Numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between variants of the DNA repair gene XRCC3 and cancer risk. Here we focused on one XRCC3 polymorphism and development of cervical cancer, performing a meta-analysis.
Methods: The pooled association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and cervical cancer risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs).
Results: A total of 5 case-control studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled ORs for the total included studies showed no association among homozygotes TT vs. CC: OR=1.93, 95%CI=0.68- 5.49, P=0.22; dominant model TT<TC vs. CC: OR=1.37, 95%CI=0.90-2.06, P=0.14; and recessive model TT vs. TC<CC: OR=1.76, 95%CI=0.68-4.55, P=0.25, but might be a slight risk factor for cervical cancer in heterozygote contrast TT vs. CT: OR= 1.33, 95%CI=1.04-1.71, P=0.02. In subgroup analysis, significant associations were found for Asians under all genetic models.
Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism might not act as a cervical cancer risk factor overall. However, in subgroup analysis, a significant association was found in Asians under all genetic models. The association should be studied with a larger, stratified population, especially for Asians.