Background and objectives: Several epidemiologic studies have investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of ERBB2 gene and breast cancer risk. However, the results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between ERBB2 Ile655Val and Ala1170Pro polymorphisms and the susceptibility to breast cancer.
Methods: Twenty-six studies including 15,940 cases and 19,148 controls were analyzed in this meta-analysis.
Results: Overall, allele contrast (Val vs. Ile) of ERBB2 655 polymorphism produced significant results in worldwide populations (OR = 1.123, 95%CI = 1.01-1.249) and in Caucasian populations (OR = 1.149, 95%CI = 1.002-1.318). In addition, the Val/Val genotype of ERBB2 655 polymorphism was associated with an increase risk of breast cancer in African (Val/Val vs. Ile/Ile OR = 16.031 95%CI = 2.019-127.267; Val/Val vs. Ile/Val + Ile/Ile OR = 16.445 95%CI = 2.059-131.351), but not in Caucasian or Asian individuals.
Conclusions: ERBB2 655 Val allele would be a risk factor for breast cancer, especially in Caucasian populations. In addition, the Val/Val genotype was a risk factor for breast cancer in African individuals. ERBB2 Ala1170Pro was not associated with breast cancer susceptibility.
Keywords: ERBB2; breast cancer; meta-analysis; polymorphisms.
© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.