Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the potential association of VEGF-116G/A promoter polymorphism with esophageal cancer risk in North-West Indians and to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of VEGF-116G/A polymorphism in Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) cancers. METHODS: A total of 679 DNA samples (333 esophageal cancer patients and 346 healthy controls) were genotyped for VEGF-116G/A polymorphism using Sanger sequencing. In silico analysis was carried out to predict the impact of VEGF-116G/A polymorphism on transcription factor binding sites. Ten studies including 2157 patients and 2307 controls on different GIT cancers were included in the meta-analysis. Results: The AA genotype and A allele of VEGF -116G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. In silico analysis predicted that A allele of VEGF-116G/A polymorphism created new binding sites for STAT4, c-Ets-1 and Elk-1 transcription factors. The meta-analysis results showed that VEGF-116G/A polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of GIT cancer under the recessive and AA vs GG genetic model in the overall population. Stratification of the studies by ethnicity revealed an increased risk of GIT cancers in Asians under allele contrast, recessive, AA vs GG and AA vs AG model. Analysis based on cancer type revealed an increased risk of esophageal cancer under allele contrast, recessive, AA vs GG and AA vs AG comparison model and increased risk of oral cancer was observed under the allele contrast model and dominant model. CONCLUSION: VEGF-116G/A polymorphism was associated with esophageal cancer risk in North- West Indians. The findings of the present meta-analysis showed a significant association of VEGF-116G/A polymorphism with GIT cancer risk.