Association of mTOR polymorphisms with cancer risk and clinical outcomes: a meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2014 May 9;9(5):e97085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097085. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Genetic polymorphisms in mTOR gene may be associated with cancer risk and clinical outcomes of cancer patients by affecting mTOR gene expression or its activation. However, inconsistent results have been reported. The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate the association between mTOR polymorphisms (rs2295080, rs2536 and rs11121704) and cancer risk as well as clinical outcome by a meta-analysis. We identified 10 eligible studies and extracted data by two investigators. Based on dominant and recessive models, odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using Stata, version 11 to evaluate the association strength. Our meta-analysis results showed that the wild genotype TT of rs2295080 polymorphism was associated with increased cancer risk under dominant model (OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.12-1.36, p<0.0005) in Chinese but not with clinical outcome parameters, while the TT genotype of rs11121704 was associated with poor clinical outcome parameters (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.01-2.32, p = 0.044), such as death, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. However, rs2536 may not influence cancer susceptibility. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicated the common polymorphisms in mTOR gene might be genetic risk factors for the carcinogenesis and clinical outcomes of cancer patients. However, further investigation on large population and different ethnicities are warranted.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asian People / genetics
  • Genetic Association Studies / methods
  • Humans
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*

Substances

  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the support program of the Ministry of Human Resource of China Overseas Returned scholars. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.