Association between TERT rs2853669 polymorphism and cancer risk: A meta-analysis of 9,157 cases and 11,073 controls

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the functional telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2853669 polymorphism might contribute to different types of human cancer. However, the association of this mutation with cancer remains controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to characterize this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS/MAIN RESULTS: A systematic search of studies on the association of TERT rs2853669 polymorphism with all types of cancer was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. The summary odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to pool the effect size in a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model where appropriate. A total of 13 articles and 15 case-control studies, including 9,157 cases and 11,073 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled results indicated that the rs2853669 polymorphism was significantly associated with increased cancer risk in a homozygote comparison model (CT vs. TT: OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.015-1.159, P = 0.016). In the stratified analyses, a significant increased cancer risk was observed in Asian, but not Caucasian patients. A subgroup analysis by cancer type also revealed a significant increase in the risk of lung cancer, but not breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the TERT rs2853669 polymorphism is associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in Asian populations.