Four polymorphisms in the IL-22 gene and the risk of cancer: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: IL-22 plays an important role in cancer carcinogenesis. However, the association between IL-22 polymorphisms and cancer risk was inconclusive. The objective of the current study was to assess these associations by meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched up to 31 January 2018. The results were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The associations between polymorphisms and cancer risk were estimated by meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using the Revman5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of four polymorphisms (rs2227485, rs1179251, rs1179246, and rs1182844) in seven studies were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that the rs1179251 polymorphism [OR = 1.46, 95% CI (1.17, 1.82), P = 0.0008 for GG+GC vs. CC] was associated with increased risk of cancer, while the rs2227485, rs1179246, and rs1182844 polymorphisms were not associated with cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis suggests that IL-22 gene rs1179251 polymorphism may be a risk factor for cancer.