The C8092A polymorphism in the ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementation group 1) gene was shown to be associated with breast carcinoma risk. However, the results of different studies remain controversial. A meta-analysis including 3,308 cases and 3,242 controls from eight studies was performed to explore the association between the C8092A polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene and breast cancer risk. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were evaluated by the random effects model. No significant association was detected in an allelic genetic model (OR: 1.081, 95% CI: 0.994-1.175, P=0.068, Pheterogeneity=0.331), a homozygote model (OR: 1.213, 95% CI: 0.926-1.589, P=0.160, Pheterogeneity=0.071), a heterozygote model (OR: 1.061, 95% CI: 0.958-1.176, P=0.256, Pheterogeneity=0.950), a dominant genetic model (OR: 1.082, 95% CI: 0.981-1.193, P=0.113, Pheterogeneity=0.816) and a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.181, 95% CI: 0.904-1.543, P=0.223, Pheterogeneity=0.060) between the C8092A polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene and breast tumor. A significant relationship between the C8092A polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene and breast tumor in Caucasian group was found in a homozygote genetic model (OR: 1.353, 95% CI: 1.009-1.815, P=0.044, Pheterogeneity=0.516) and a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.339, 95% CI: 1.004-1.785, P=0.047, Pheterogeneity=0.532). Individuals with the C8092A polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene have a higher risk of breast cancer in Caucasians, but not for Asians.
Keywords: Breast carcinoma; ERCC1; breast cancer; meta-analysis; polymorphism.