A pooled analysis of the IL-10-1082 A/G polymorphism and the nasopharyngeal carcinoma susceptibility

It has been reported that IL-10-1082 A/G polymorphism might influence the transcription and secretion of IL10 and tumor development. While many studies have been conducted to investigate the association between IL-10-1082 A/G polymorphism and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in various populations, the results of these studies are still controversial. We aimed to explore this relationship through a cumulative meta-analysis. A search of the literature was performed using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. The odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess this possible association. Six studies were included in the study. The meta-analysis reveals a significant effect in the allelic model (G vs. A: OR 1.516, 95 % CI 1.077–2.133, P heterogeneity = 0.003), dominant model (AG + GG vs. AA: OR = 1.770, 95 % CI 1.415–2.212, P heterogeneity = 0.169), and co-dominant model (AG vs. AA: OR = 1.747, 95 % CI 1.377–2.216, P heterogeneity = 0.491). Similarly, in the stratified analyses, significant effects were reported in studies of Asian populations. Our meta-analysis results suggest that the IL-10-1082 A/G variant is associated with increased risk of NPC in Asian populations.