Objective: IL-8-251A>T polymorphisms have been reported to influence the risk for breast cancer in many studies; however, the results still remain controversial and ambiguous. The aim of this study was to determine more precise estimations for the relationship between IL-8-251A>T polymorphisms and the risk for breast cancer.
Methods: Electronic searches for all publications were conducted on association between this variant and breast cancer in several databases through November 2010. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of the association. Six studies were identified, including 1,880 breast cancer patients and 2,013 controls.
Results: Overall, no significant associations between IL-8-251A>T polymorphism and breast cancer (codominant model: TA vs. AA OR = 1.075, 95%CI = 0.864-1.337; TT vs. AA, OR = 0.900, 95%CI = 0.598-1.354; dominant model: OR = 1.011, 95%CI = 0.783-1.304; and recessive model: OR = 0.854, 95%CI = 0.623-1.171). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly decreased risk was found for Africans (TT vs. AA OR = 0.541; 95%CI = 0.396-0.741; dominant model: OR = 0.737, 95%CI = 0.570-0.953; recessive model: OR = 0.594; 95%CI = 0.459-0.768). In the stratified analysis by control sources, significant association was observed in population-based studies (recessive model: OR = 0.692; 95%CI = 0.566-0.861).
Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests the IL-8-251A/T polymorphism is associated with breast cancer risk.