Association between the 8473T>C polymorphism of PTGS2 and prostate cancer risk: a metaanalysis including 24,716 subjects.

Background: Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) is involved in prostate cancer (PCa) by stimulating cell proliferation, promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting apoptosis, and mediating immune suppression. 8473T>C, located in the 3' UTR of the PTGS2 gene, has been considered to influence PCa risk.

Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Elsevier, and Web of Science (updated to February 5, 2012) using the following search terms: '8473T>C' or 'rs5275', 'genetic variant' or 'polymorphism', 'prostate cancer', 'cancer', 'PTGS2' or 'COX-2'. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were assessed by using fixed or random effect models. Both funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess the publication bias.

Results: Finally, 5 case control studies were included. Overall, no evidence was observed of a relationship between the 8473T>C and PCa risk in any genetic model. No significant association was found in the studies whose controls conform to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In the stratified analysis, significant association was detected in other populations (except for Caucasians), which were based on hospitals.

Conclusion: The 8473T>C polymorphism may have little association with PCa risk among Caucasians, but might be involved in PCa risk in other ethnicities. Nevertheless, more well-designed studies with a larger sample size including different ethnicities should be conducted.