Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, especially in China. It has been proved that matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) play a key role in malignant cell metastasis. There have been a considerable number of studies investigating MMP polymorphisms in relation to various cancers. However, the associations of MMP polymorphisms with risk of lung cancer are lack of consistency. The aim of this study is to assess the association of MMP polymorphisms with risk of lung cancer by conducting a Meta -analysis from all eligible casecontrol studies published to date.
Methods: To identify all studies that examined the association of polymorphisms in the promoter of MMP1, MMP2 and MMP9 with lung cancer, we conducted a computerized literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE database (before March, 2009). Two investigators independently extracted the data and reached a consensus on all items.
Results: Eight case-control studies, including 4 467 lung cancer cases and 4 051 controls, were selected for Meta -analysis to better assess the purported associations of common MMPs polymorphisms with risk of lung cancer. Our results suggest that MMP2 -735C/T polymorphism is significantly modified risk of lung cancer. Comparing with the wild -735C allele, the variant T allele decreased risk of developing lung cancer (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.61-0.85, P =0.0001). Other polymorphisms, including MMP1 -1607 1G/2G, MMP2 -1306C/T and MMP9 -1562C/T, are not associated with risk of lung cancer.
Conclusions: The present study indicates that the MMP2 -735C/T polymorphism is associated with the risk of lung cancer. Lager studies should be required to warrant the association of MMP9 -1562C/T polymorphism with risk of lung cancer.