Association between Long Non-coding RNA POLR2E rs3787016 Polymorphism and Cancer Susceptibility: A Meta-analysis of 8725 Cancer Cases and 10710 Controls

 Several studies have reported a correlation between the POLR2E rs3787016 polymorphism and cancer development, but findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we designed the current study to understand how rs3787016 polymorphism impacts cancer susceptibility.

 We searched the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for studies related to the topic of interest published up to March 2019. A total of 11 relevant studies, encompassing 8,761 cancer cases and 10,534 controls, were retrieved and subject to quantitative analysis. The strength of the relationship was evaluated using the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

 Overall, the findings proposed a positive association between rs189037 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer in homozygous (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.11 - 1.57, P = 0.002, TT vs. CC), recessive (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.06-1.39, P = 0.005, TT vs. CT + CC), and allele (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02-1.22, P = 0.021, T vs. C) genetic models. Stratified analysis showed that rs3787016 increased the risk of prostate and breast cancer. In addition, we found a significant association between the variant and increased cancer risk in Asian and Caucasian populations.

 In summary, the findings of the current meta-analysis suggest that the POLR2E rs3787016 polymorphism is an indicator of cancer susceptibility.