BACKGROUND: The relationship of prostate cancer (PCa) with the presence of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic polymorphism Val158Met (158G/A) has been reported with inconsistent results. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the association between Val158Met polymorphism and PCa susceptibility. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched Medline and the Cochrane Library up to July 18, 2012. Pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a fixed or random-effects model. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manage 5.0 and Stata 11. RESULTS: Of the 7 case-control studies selected for this meta-analysis, a total of 2,292 PCa cases and 2,485 controls were included. The combined results based on all studies suggested that Val158Met was not associated with PCa risk under all genetic models. When stratifying for race, no noteworthy associations were observed in Asians or Caucasians. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that COMT Val158Met polymorphism might not be a risk factor for PCa risk. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm our findings.
BACKGROUND: The relationship of prostate cancer (PCa) with the presence of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic polymorphism Val158Met (158G/A) has been reported with inconsistent results. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the association between Val158Met polymorphism and PCa susceptibility. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched Medline and the Cochrane Library up to July 18, 2012. Pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a fixed or random-effects model. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manage 5.0 and Stata 11. RESULTS: Of the 7 case-control studies selected for this meta-analysis, a total of 2,292 PCa cases and 2,485 controls were included. The combined results based on all studies suggested that Val158Met was not associated with PCa risk under all genetic models. When stratifying for race, no noteworthy associations were observed in Asians or Caucasians. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that COMT Val158Met polymorphism might not be a risk factor for PCa risk. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm our findings.