FAS−1377 A/G polymorphism in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

FAS is a cell surface receptor involved in apoptotic signaling in many cell types including cells of the immune system. The −1377 A/G polymorphism of FAS gene has been detected in breast cancer. However, the published evidence regarding the −1377 A/G polymorphism and breast cancer risk has generated controversial results. We performed a meta-analysis of five case–control association studies totaling to 5,995 study subjects including 2,905 cases and 3,090 controls. The combined odd ratios (ORs) with its 95 % CIs were used to assess the association of the −1377 A/G polymorphism correlated with breast cancer susceptibility with the fixed-effects model. The combined results showed significantly increased risk associated with the −1377 A/G polymorphism under AA vs. GG genetic model (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI = 1.04–1.58; heterogeneity test: P = 0.614, I ²  = 0.0 %), AA vs. GA + GG genetic model (OR = 1.24, 95 CI = 1.02–1.51; heterogeneity test: P = 0.349, I ²  = 10.0 %), and allele model A vs. G (OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.02–1.20; heterogeneity test: P = 0.422, I ²  = 0.0 %). Similarly, significant association was found in Asians. In stratified analyses by control source, a higher risk was indicated in the hospital-based studies rather than the population-based studies. This meta-analysis suggests that the −1377 A/G polymorphism is likely to be associated with the risk of breast cancer, especially the A allele in Asians.