No association between cytochrome P450 2D6 gene polymorphism and risk of acute leukemia: evidence based on a meta-analysis.

Background: Many studies indicated the human cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene polymorphism was associated with acute leukemia (AL) susceptibility, however, the results were inconsistent. So we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between CYP2D6*3 or CYP2D6*4 polymorphism and AL susceptibility.

Methods: We searched PubMed database up to February 20, 2013, and finally yielded 9 case-control studies including 1343 cases and 1843 controls which tested the association between CYP2D6*3 or *4 polymorphism and AL. After data extraction, we conducted a meta-analysis using the Comprehensive Meta Analysis software.

Results: Overall, no significant association between CYP2D6*3 or *4 polymorphism and AL risk was found in this metaanalysis (+ vs. -: OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.79-1.63; +/+ vs. -/-: OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 0.99-3.02; -/+ vs. -/-: OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.68-1.56; (-/+ and +/+) vs. -/-: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.72-1.63; +/+ vs. (-/+ and -/-): OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 0.98-3.17). Similar results were also been found in stratified subgroup analysis. There was no publication bias.

Conclusion: CYP2D6*3 or *4 polymorphism might not be associated with AL susceptibility. However, the results need to be further confirmed by well-designed and high quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.