Aim: To clarify the association between CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.
Methods: A meta-analysis based on 10 eligible case-control studies involving 4979 cases and 6012 controls was carried out to summarize the data on the association between CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk.
Results: In comparison of the homozygote c2c2 and c2 carriers (c1c2 + c2c2) and the homozygous wild-type genotype (c1c1), no association was found between CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.24 (95% CI: 0.93-1.66) for c2c2; OR = 1.02 (95% CI: 0.88-1.19) for c2 carriers]. In stratified analysis, Caucasians with c2c2 homozygote appeared to have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.03-6.89, P = 0.043), no significant associations were found in other groups.
Conclusion: c2c2 homozygote of CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism may be associated with the increased risk of colorectal cancer in Caucasians, which needs further investigations.