Aim of study: The conclusions on the association between the rs2736100 polymorphisms of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene polymorphism and digestive cancers risk are still debated. This meta-analysis was conducted to update the association between the TERT rs2736100 polymorphisms and the risk of digestive cancers.
Materials and methods: The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using the meta-analysis method.
Results: Eight case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis for associating TERT rs2736100 gene polymorphism and digestive cancer susceptibility. Pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated using a fixed or random-effects model. Overall, no evidence has shown that the TERT rs2736100 polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to digestive cancers. Besides, stratified analysis with ethnicity also indicated no significant association between TRET rs2736100 and the risk of digestive cancers under all genetic models in both Asian and Caucasian populations were observed.
Conclusion: According to the meta-analysis, TERT rs2736100 polymorphism might be unrelated to digestive cancer susceptibility. Evidence with adequate sample size is still needed.
Keywords: Digestive cancers; meta-analysis; polymorphism; rs2736100; telomerase reverse transcriptase.