BACKGROUND: A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the association between HIF-1α polymorphism (C1772T) and breast cancer risk.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The relevant published literature was retrieved from PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of the associations.

RESULTS: Six case-control studies, including 2043 cases and 2146 controls were identified. Meta-analysis showed that there was no marked association between C1772T polymorphism and breast cancer risk in the overall population in the dominant model. The subgroup analysis showed an increased breast cancer risk in Asians based on homozygote comparison and the recessive model. There were no associations between C1772T polymorphism with clinicopathological parameters and habits.

CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that HIF-1α C1772T polymorphism is a risk factor for susceptibility to breast cancer in Asians.

Keywords: Case-Control Studies, Breast Neoplasms - genetics, Gene Frequency - genetics, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit - genetics, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics