BackgroundGrowing studies have revealed the association between polymorphisms in the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and susceptibility to cancer, however, the results remained inconsistent.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo assess the effect of three selected SNPs (rs352140, rs5743836 and rs187084) in TLR9 on cancer, we performed a meta-analysis based on 11 case-control studies, including a total of 6,585 cancer cases and 7,506 controls. Summary odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for polymorphisms in TLR9 and cancer risk were estimated. Our meta-analysis indicated that rs352140 was associated with an increased cancer risk, especially in Caucasian. However, no significantly increased cancer risk was detected to be associated with rs187084 and rs5743836 either the overall or subgroup estimation.ConclusionsThese meta-analysis results indicate that polymorphisms in TLR9 may play a role in cancer development.

Genetic polymorphisms of enzymes involved in estrogen synthesizing/transporting can influence the risk of hormone-dependent diseases. The incidence rate and relative risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are higher in men than in women. This study was conducted to explore the relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 17 β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD17B1 and HSD17B2) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) genes with the risk of HCC within Chinese Han population. Polymorphisms of HSD17B1 rs676387, HSD17B2 rs8191246 and SHBG rs6259 were genotyped in 253 HCC patients and 438 healthy control subjects using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Significantly increased HCC risk was found to be associated with T allele of rs676387 and G allele of rs8191246. Increased HCC risks were found in different genetic model (TT genotype in a recessive model, T allele carriers in a dominant model, TT genotype and TG genotype in a codominant model for HSD17B1 rs676387, G allele carriers in a dominant model and AG genotype in a codominant model for HSD17B2 rs8191246, respectively). No association between SHBG rs6259 and HCC risk was observed. The present study provided evidence that HSD17B1 rs676387 and HSD17B2 rs8191246 were association with HCC development. Further studies in diverse ethnic population with larger sample size were recommended to confirm the findings.

BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are multifunctional zinc-dependent proteinases that play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of tumors. We have analyzed the association between 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; MMP1 −1607 1G/2G, MMP3 −1612 5A/6A, and MMP9 −1562 C/T) and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Material/MethodsWe investigated these 3 SNPs in 132 patients and 132 controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The MMP1 and MMP3 genes are located on the same chromosome. Haplotype analysis was performed to study the combined effect of the linked MMP polymorphisms on ESCC risk.ResultsThe MMP1 and MMP9 promoter polymorphisms were not associated with ESCC risk, while the MMP3 −1612 5A/6A polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to ESCC. Patients carrying the 5A allele had a significantly higher risk for developing ESCC compared with individuals carrying the 6A allele (OR=1.93; 95% CI 1.34–2.77; p<0.01). The 2G-5A and 1G-5A haplotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the 2G-6A haplotype (OR=2.04, 95% CI 1.37–3.04 and OR=3.65, 95% CI 1.26–10.55, respectively).ConclusionsThese findings implicate this MMP3 polymorphism as a contributor to ESCC susceptibility.

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