Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) rs20417 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: a meta analysis

Background: Genetic variation of SNPs in the PTGS2 gene is reported to be capable of creating tissue milieu favoring tumorigenesis. Some studies have implicated the common SNP rs20417 has association with PCa risk, while others showed reverse results. The study was performed with an aim to reconcile the existing controversy by performing a meta-analysis. Methods: We searched databases of Embase and PubMed and identified 8 publications fulfilling the specified inclusion criteria. X-2-based Q-test and I2 statistic were quantified to measure the heterogeneity across studies. The pooled ORs and 95% CIs were calculated to estimate the association between SNP rs20417 and PCa risk. Results: Based on an enlarged sample size by combining the data from published meta-analyses and those missed in them, the results of the present meta-analysis revealed the association of SNP rs20417 and overall PCa risk was not significant. Subgroup analyses according to ethnicity and source of controls did not show any significant results, either. Conclusions: The meta-analysis suggests that the presence of SNP rs20417 is unlikely to be associated with PCa risk. Our understanding of the genetic risk for PCa should be further expanded and refined through future research in a much larger number of participants.