Polymorphisms in the FTO Gene and Their Association With Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review and Meta‐Analysis

TL;DR

This study finds that specific genetic variations in the FTO gene are linked to increased cancer risk in certain populations.

Contribution

The paper provides new insights into how specific FTO gene polymorphisms correlate with cancer susceptibility in different ethnic groups.

Findings

FTO rs9939609 is associated with higher cancer risk in Asians.

FTO rs1477196 increases thyroid cancer risk in Caucasians.

FTO rs8047395 is linked to thyroid cancer susceptibility.

Abstract

This meta‐analysis aimed to clarify the connection between six polymorphisms in the FTO gene and susceptibility to cancer.

The relevant literature on the relationship between FTO variants and cancer susceptibility was comprehensively gathered from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science prior to May 20, 2024.

Our analysis revealed that FTO rs9939609 had a certain correlation with an elevated cancer risk within the Asian demographic q vs. r (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07–1.39, p = 0.003); rq + qq vs. rr (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.04–1.35, p = 0.011); qq vs. rr + rq (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.39–2.27, p = 0.001). Additionally, FTO rs1477196 was linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer qq vs. rr + rq (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.13–1.91, p = 0.004) and remarkably relevant to an increased cancer susceptibility for Caucasians (q vs. r (OR = 1.29, 95% CI =1.06–1.57, p = 0.009); rq + qq vs. rr (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.04–1.80, p = 0.024)). In the stratified analysis of rs8047395, the results indicated that rs8047395 had a certain correlation with cancer susceptibility for thyroid cancer q vs. r (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01–1.51, p = 0.041) and qq vs. rr + rq (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.24–1.91, p < 0.01).

FTO rs9939609 showed a correlation with cancer risk among individuals of Asian descent. FTO rs1477196 was correlated with an increased risk for thyroid cancer and remarkably relevant to an increased cancer susceptibility for Caucasians. FTO rs8047395 was associated with the risk of thyroid cancer.

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