The Role of O⁶-methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Polymorphisms in Prostate Cancer Susceptibility: a Meta-Analysis

To assess the associations between O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase(MGMT) polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk. We retrieved PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase electronic database to search for all eligible studies published from Jan 1, 1970 to Sep 31, 2017 to conduct a Meta-analysis. we identified 11 independent studies in 5 eligible reports, including 5143 cases and 8118 controls. The data suggested that rs12917 was associated with higher PCa risk under the contrast of TT vs CC and recessive model in overall population (TT vs CC: OR = 1.599, 95%CI: 1.007–2.539, P = 0.047; TT vs CC + CT: OR = 1.627, 95%CI: 1.026–2.580, P = 0.038). In subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, the remarkable association with higher PCa risk was detected under allelic model, dominant model, the contrast of TC vs CC, and the contrast of TC vs CC + TT in Asian population. (T vs C: OR = 1.911, 95%CI: 1.182–3.090, P = 0.008; TC vs CC: OR = 1.948, 95%CI: 1.152–3.295, P = 0.013; TC + TT vs CC: OR = 1.994, 95%CI: 1.190–3.342, P = 0.009; TC vs CC + TT: OR = 1.926, 95%CI: 1.140–3.255, P = 0.014). However, the data suggest the rs2308327 and rs2308321 polymorphisms of the MGMT gene were nor associated with the susceptibility of prostate cancer. Based on the meta-analysis, MGMT rs12917 polymorphism increase the susceptibility to prostate cancer, which can be taken for a diagnosis and screening molecular biomarker for prostate cancer patients.