Analysis of the role of rs2031920 and rs3813867 polymorphisms within the cytochrome P450 2E1 gene in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: To explore the genetic effect of rs2031920 and rs3813867 polymorphisms within the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene on the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a meta-analysis was performed. METHODS: The eligible case–control studies were obtained by database searching and screening, and the specific statistical analysis was performed with STATA 12.0 software. RESULTS: After the process of database searching and screening, a total of 32 case–control studies with 7435 cases and 10,466 controls were ultimately included in our meta-analysis. With regard to the rs2031920 C/T polymorphism, in comparison to controls, a reduced risk in cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was detected for the models of allele T vs. allele C [P = 0.025, odds ratio (OR) = 0.67], carrier T vs. carrier C (P = 0.014, OR = 0.70), TT vs. CC (P = 0.029, OR = 0.65), CT vs. CC (P = 0.040, OR = 0.56), CT + TT vs. CC (P = 0.035, OR = 0.58). Similarly, a decreased SCC risk was observed for the rs3813867 G/C polymorphism in the allele, carrier, homozygote, dominant, and recessive models of overall SCC meta-analysis and “ESCC” subgroup analysis (all P < 0.05, OR < 1) and in all genetic models of “Asian” and “population-based control (PB)” subgroup analysis (all P < 0.05, OR < 1). Additionally, for the rs2031920/rs3813867 haplotype, a decreased SCC risk was also detected in the overall SCC meta-analysis under the allele, carrier, homozygote and dominant model (all P < 0.05, OR < 1) and the subgroup analysis of “PB” under the allele, carrier, and dominant models (all P < 0.05, OR < 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis supports the “T” allele carrier of the CYP2E1 rs2031920 C/T polymorphism and “C” allele carrier of the rs3813867 G/C polymorphism as protective factors for ESCC patients, especially in Asian populations.