Background: The E-cadherin (CDH1) polymorphism has been implicated in the susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between the CDH1-160C/A polymorphism and CRC risk.
Methods: Relevant studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases up to 11 March 2021. Pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using either the fixed- or random-effects model. Quality evaluation was carried out using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to reduce the risk of type I error.
Results: In total, 16 studies from 14 articles with 8699 patients and 8592 controls were included. In general, all studies were of high quality (NOS score higher than 6). Overall, no significant associations between the CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism and CRC risk were detected. In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, source of control, genotyping method and location, significant associations were found between the CDH1-160C/A polymorphism and the risk of CRC in the Caucasians and the hospital-based subgroup. Furthermore, 10 studies with 8019 subjects reported the association between the polymorphism and clinical characteristics in CRC patients, and we found that the CDH1-160C/A polymorphism might show a protective role in the distal CRC subgroup. By TSA, the findings in the present study were based on sufficient evidence in Caucasians, but not in Asians.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the CDH1-160C/A polymorphism may be an important protective factor for CRC in Caucasians and a hospital-based subgroup. Moreover, the polymorphism show a protective role in the distal CRC group. However, large and well-designed studies are warranted to validate our findings, especially for Asians.
Keywords: CDH1; colorectal cancer; meta-analysis; polymorphism.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.