MYC variant at 8q24 increases susceptibility to urinary bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of 53,957 individuals.

BACKGROUND

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC), the tenth most common globally with a male predominance, has its risk factors like smoking and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), yet the MYC gene's role, especially the rs9642880 GT/TT polymorphism on chromosome 8q24.21, in cancer susceptibility is underexplored.

METHODS

We searched in Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases for relevant studies. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effect models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Statistical analyses were performed using R, version 4.4.2.

RESULTS

Data from 53,957 subjects was analyzed, including 8,002 UBC patients and 45,955 controls, with median age ranging from 44.5 to 68.7 years. We found significant association between the rs9642880 GT/TT polymorphism and increased UBC risk (OR 1.249, 95% CI 1.188-1.297, p < 0.001). This association was consistent across American (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.20-1.70), Asian (OR 1.25 95% CI 1.17-1.34), and Caucasian (OR 1.21 95% CI 1.13-1.29) ethnic groups, with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses by genotyping method and source of control further supported these results.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis provides robust evidence that the T allele of the rs9642880 polymorphism in the MYC gene significantly increases susceptibility to UBC across Asian, American, and Caucasian populations.