Absence of association between transforming growth factor B1 polymorphisms and gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a ubiquitous and essential cytokine that plays a dual role in the development of cancer: tumor suppressor in the early stage of carcinogenesis and tumor promoter in the later stage of carcinogenesis. To date, several studies have focused on the association between the TGFB1 polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer. Conflicting results, however, have been reported. We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze more precisely the effects of the TGFB1 C-509T, T869C, and G915C polymorphisms on the risk of gastric cancer. No significant association between the TGFB1 C-509T, T869C, and G915C polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer was observed in overall analyses and subgroup analyses according to ethnicity.