Relationships between p14(ARF) Gene Methylation and Clinicopathological Features of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the relationships between p14(ARF) gene methylation and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer (CRC). Databases, including Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library, were searched and, finally, a total of 18 eligible researches encompassing 1988 CRC patients were selected. Combined odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were evaluated under a fixed effects model for absence of heterogeneity. Significant associations were observed between p14(ARF) gene methylation and tumor location (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.55–3.55, P = 0.001), microsatellite instability (MSI) status (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 2.12–5.07, P<0.0001). However, there were no significant associations between p14(ARF) gene methylation and tumor stage, tumor differentiation. We concluded that p14(ARF) gene methylation may be significantly associated with tumor location, and MSI status of CRC.