Relative risk of Grade III/IV adverse events in patients treates with TACE plus sorafenib versus TACE.

<p>Relative risk of Grade III/IV adverse events in patients treates with TACE plus sorafenib versus TACE.</p

Summary of ORs for various contrasts on the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms and risks of gall stones (GS).

a<p>Model, statistical model; FEM, fixed effect model; REM, random effect model.</p>b<p><i>p</i> value for heterogeneity based on Q test;</p><p>Na, not available.</p

Roles of ApoB-100 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risks of Gallstones and Gallbladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Gallstones (GS) is the major manifestation of gallbladder disease, and is the most common risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC). Previous studies investigating the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms and the risks of GS and GBC have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the effects of <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms on the risks of GS and GBC.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A computerized literature search was conducted to identify the relevant studies from PubMed and Embase. Fixed or random effects model was selected based on heterogeneity test. Publication bias was estimated using Begg’s funnel plots and Egger’s regression test.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 10, 3, and 3 studies were included in the analyses of the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI, EcoRI, or insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphisms and the GS risks, respectively, while 3 studies were included in the analysis for the association between XbaI polymorphism and GBC risk. The combined results showed a significant association in Chinese (X+ <i>vs.</i> X−, OR = 2.37, 95%CI 1.52–3.70; X+X+/X+X- <i>vs.</i> X+X+, OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.55–3.92), but not in Indians or Caucasians. Null association was observed between EcoRI or ID polymorphisms and GS risks. With regard to the association between XbaI polymorphism and GBC risk, a significant association was detected when GBC patients were compared with healthy persons and when GBC patients were compared with GS patients. A significant association was still detected when GBC patients (with GS) were compared with the GS patients (X+X+ <i>vs.</i> X-X−, OR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.12–0.90).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the <i>ApoB-100</i> X+ allele might be associated with increased risk of GS in Chinese but not in other populations, while the <i>ApoB-100</i> X+X+ genotype might be associated with reduced risk of GBC. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.</p></div

Eligibility of studies for inclusion in the meta-analysis.

<p>Eligibility of studies for inclusion in the meta-analysis.</p

Baseline Characteristics of the included studies.

<p>TACE, transartialchemoembolization; LC, liver cirrhosis; OS, overall survival; TTP, time to progression; DCR, disease control rate; NR, not report; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; SOR, sorafenib.</p

Characteristics of individual studies for association between <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and risks of gall bladder cancer (GBC).

<p>Abbreviations: GBC, gall bladder cancer; GS, gall stones;</p>a<p>these two studies enrolled GBC patients of two types, i.e. GBC with GS and GBC without GS; and thus were considered as two individual studies;</p>b<p>HB and PB referred to hospital-based controls and population-based controls, respectively;</p>c<p><i>p</i> for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test in controls.</p

Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and the risks of GS (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).

<p>Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and the risks of GS (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).</p

Overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and progression.

<p>Overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and progression.</p

Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomized trials.

<p>Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomized trials.</p

Objective response rate (ORR) for the combination of TACE plus sorafenib with TACE.

<p>Objective response rate (ORR) for the combination of TACE plus sorafenib with TACE.</p