The E-cadherin (CDH1) -160 C/A polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Published data on the association between E-cadherin (CDH1) -160 C/A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCA) risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. A logistic regression approach proposed for molecular association studies was used to estimate a biological model of the gene effect. A total of 11 studies including 2637 cases and 2673 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the CDH1 -160 C/A genotypes were associated with PCA risk. The genetic model test indicated that the genetic model was most likely to be dominant (CA+AA vs CC). Overall, meta-analysis indicated that the -160A allele carriers (CA+AA) had a 21% elevated risk of PCA, when compared with the homozygotes (CC) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-1.51; P = 0.090, Pheterogeneity = 0.001). In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, significantly elevated risks were associated with -160 variant genotypes (CA+AA) in both European and Asian populations (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08-1.43; P = 0.003, Pheterogeneity = 0.220 and OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.23-1.93; P<0.001, Pheterogeneity = 0.200). However, no significant associations were found in Africans (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.32-1.09; P = 0.090, Pheterogeneity = 0.070). Although some modest bias could not be eliminated, this meta-analysis suggests that the CDH1 -160A allele is a low-penetrant risk factor for developing PCA, especially in Europeans and Asians.