Evidences from a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Unveil the Role of miRNA Polymorphisms in the Predisposition to Female Neoplasms

Breast (BC) and gynecological (GC) cancers constitute a group of female neoplasms that has a worldwide significant contribution to cancer morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that polymorphisms influencing miRNA function can provide useful information to predict the risk of female neoplasms. To facilitate the genetic screening of miRNA polymorphisms even during childhood or adolescence, and their use as predictors of future malignancies, inconsistent findings in the literature should be detected and resolved. This study represents a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between miRNA polymorphisms and the risk of female neoplasms. Meta-analysis was performed by pooling odds-ratios (ORs) and generalized ORs using a random-effects model for 15 miRNA polymorphisms. The results suggest that miR-146a rs2910164 is implicated in the susceptibility to GC. Moreover, miR-196a2 rs11614913-T had a moderate protective effect against female neoplasms, especially GC, in Asians but not in Caucasians. MiR-27a rs895819-G may pose a protective effect against BC among Caucasians. MiR-499 rs3746444-C may slightly increase the risk of female neoplasms especially BC. MiR-124 rs531564-G may be associated with a lower risk of female neoplasms. The current evidences do not support the association of the remaining polymorphisms and the risk of female neoplasms.