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The Journal of International Medical Research logoLink to The Journal of International Medical Research
. 2022 Oct 30;50(10):03000605221133173. doi: 10.1177/03000605221133173

Association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and different cancer types: an updated meta-analysis of 55 case–control studies

Sarah Jafrin 1,2, Md Abdul Aziz 1,2, Mohammad Safiqul Islam 1,2,
PMCID: PMC9623385  PMID: 36314251

Abstract

Objective

The TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant has been associated with elevated cancer risk, but the evidence is inconclusive. We performed a meta-analysis to clarify the role of this variant in cancer development.

Methods

Eligible literature was selected by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.

Results

A meta-analysis of 55 case–control studies showed that the G4C14-A4T14 variant was significantly associated with overall cancer development in five genetic models, including the allele model (AM), codominant model 1 (COD1), COD2, dominant model (DM), and over-dominant model (OD). Sub-group analysis based on ethnicity showed significantly higher risks in Africans in COD2 and RM and in Whites in AM, COD2, DM, and recessive model (RM). Cancer-specific subgroup analysis identified significant risks of gynecological (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer), colorectal, oral, head and neck, and other cancers. Moreover, hospital-based controls revealed significant cancer risks in the AM, COD1, COD2, DM, and RM genetic models. Our findings were confirmed by trial sequential analysis.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis confirmed that TP73 G4C14-A4T14 significantly elevates the overall cancer risk, especially in White, African, and hospital-based populations, and specifically predisposes individuals to gynecological, colorectal, oral, and head and neck cancers.

This meta-analysis was registered at INPLASY (registration number: INPLASY202210070).

Keywords: TP73, G4C14-A4T14, polymorphism, cancer, meta-analysis, ethnic group

Introduction

Cancer is an evolving health problem and a major cause of death worldwide, with 19.3 million new cancer cases in 2020, and 10 million deaths due to various cancers.1 Malignancies involve the accumulation of multiple genetic mutations, and scientists have discovered more than 10,000 genetic risk variants associated with susceptibility to cancer development. Mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as the TP53 family, especially loss of function mutations that suppress the actions of the genes, are among the most important factors associated with carcinogenesis. TP53 is the most widely investigated and common tumor suppressor gene, and has been found to be associated with almost all types of cancers. Researchers are now focusing on rare genetic variants to provide more specific information on cancer genetics.2,3

TP73 is a vital gene that encodes p73, an essential member of the p53 family that is structurally and functionally homologous to p53 (63% homologous amino acid sequence). This protein, also known as p53-like transcription factor, is involved in cellular proliferation, programmed cell death (apoptosis), cell cycle regulation or arrest, and transactivation of overlapping target genes such as the p21 gene.48 However, unlike TP53, mutations in TP73 are rare. During DNA damage, p73 is overexpressed in malignancies resulting from p53 mutation. It mimics the tumor suppression function of p53 by initiating the transcription of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, which are usually responsive to p53, repairing damaged DNA, promoting apoptosis, and preventing uncontrolled cellular growth and proliferation via blocking the G1 cell cycle checkpoint.914 p73 thus helps to maintain cellular homeostasis through compensating for the TP53 loss of function polymorphism.7,14,15 Although mutations in TP73 have been detected in less than 2% of all cancers, the gene is highly polymorphic and loss of heterozygosity polymorphisms have been reported in different types of tumors. TP73 is located at chromosomal region 1p36-33, which is deleted in many human cancers. This suggests that p73 might be strongly related to cancer susceptibility.1618

Nineteen exonic and intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in TP73, but none of these result in miscoded amino acids.19,20 Two common SNPs, rs2273953 and rs1801173, are located at positions 4 (G>A) and 14 (C>T), respectively, within a noncoding 5ʹ-untranslated region upstream of the TP73 promoter in exon 2. The distance between the two polymorphisms is short, with a tendency for non-random associations between them. The two polymorphisms are in complete disequilibrium with each other and are jointly referred to as G4C14-A4T14. This set of polymorphisms is located just above the translation initiation site and has been shown to affect TP73 gene expression levels by forming a stem-loop-like structure.19,2123

Given its ability to modify the tumor suppression activity of TP73, the association between G4C14-A4T14 and carcinogenesis has recently been investigated in genome-wide association studies in multiple cancer types, including lung, colorectal, breast, cervical, gastric, esophageal, endometrial, oral, and ovarian cancer, in addition to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and cutaneous melanoma.2,2474 However, the findings of these studies were inconsistent. Although previous meta-analyses have summarized the evidence regarding the roles of the G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism in different cancers, the numbers of studies included in those meta-analyses were limited,7578 While a larger sample size provides firmer evidence in population-based genetic association studies.

In this study, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of 55 case–control studies to resolve previous controversies and provide systematic evidence for the association between the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer development.

Materials and methods

This meta-analysis was performed following the updated PRISMA 2020 guidelines (available at https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n160). The need for obtaining informed consent from patients or controls was not applicable as no participants were directly involved in this study.

Literature search strategy

We carried out a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure electronic databases up to 20 July 2021, using the following key terms: ‘TP73 or p73’, ‘Cancer or tumor’, ‘G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism’, ‘rs2273953 and rs1801173’, ‘TP73 polymorphism and cancer’, and ‘association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer’. Additional studies were extracted from the reference lists of the selected literature. We also screened the ‘similar studies’ options in the above databases. Finally, published studies were included avoiding any language barriers.

Publication selection and eligibility criteria

The overall selection process was completed according to the authors’ predesigned protocol. Eligible studies containing the required data were selected and the data were organized for further analysis by comprehensive screening. The overall study selection method is outlined in a PRISMA flow diagram (Figure 1). Two authors (SJ and MAA) carefully revised the whole procedure, and the other author (MSI) conducted a final screening to reduce the chances of disagreement. This meta-analysis was retrospectively registered at INPLASY (https://inplasy.com/, registration number: INPLASY202210070).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Systematic flow diagram of study selection process.

The inclusion criteria of the selected studies were case–control studies examining the association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility, studies with detailed comparative genotypic information for both controls and patients, and study population in agreement with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) after adjustments. If the selected studies contained genotypic data on other SNPs, as well as the selected SNP, we only extracted data on the selected SNP for inclusion in this meta-analysis. We excluded studies without G4C14-A4T14 genotypic data for cancer patients and controls, studies lacking a control population data or with incomplete genotypic information, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and studies conducted on cell lines or animal models.

Data extraction and quality assessment

We extracted the following information from the selected studies: study ID, date of publication, country, ethnicity or region of the recruited population, type of cancer, category of control population, type of genotyping method used, sample and control sizes, and genotypic data for the selected SNP. In addition, the HWE p-value was collected and adjusted (corrected) by Benjamini and Hochberg’s (1995) false discovery rate,79 and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) score80 was calculated from each selected study by the authors to maintain the quality of the selected studies. Two authors (SJ and MAA) extracted the above data from each study, and the other author (MSI) carried out a final screening of the organized data to avoid mistakes and misinterpretation.

Statistical analysis

The overall statistical analysis was carried out using Review Manager (RevMan) software version 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) to elucidate the impact of the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant on susceptibility to different cancers. We applied seven genetic association models to evaluate the association: the allele model (AM) (AT vs. GC), codominant model 1 (COD1) (GC/AT vs. GC/GC), codominant model 2 (COD2) (AT/AT vs. GC/GC), codominant model 3 (COD3) (AT/AT vs. GC/AT), dominant model (DM) (AT/AT+ GC/AT vs. GC/GC), recessive model (RM) (AT/AT vs. GC/AT+GC/GC), and over-dominant model (OD) (GC/AT vs. AT/AT+ GC/GC). We also conducted a subgroup analysis in which the controls were divided into hospital-based (HB) and population-based (PB) control populations, while the case or experimental arm included patients with different cancers carrying the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant. We also conducted subgroup analysis according to ethnicity in Asian, White, and African populations. The degree of cancer risk was estimated as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the significance level (Pz) was set to Pz<0.05. A fixed-effects or random-effects model was applied based on the results of the heterogeneity test (Q-test): when heterogeneity was significant (PH<0.10), the random-effects model (DerSimonian–Laird) was applied, and when heterogeneity was non-significant, the fixed-effects model (Mantel–Haenszel) was applied. Visual inspection of funnel plots as well as the results of Egger’s regression and Begg–Mazumdar tests were used to estimate publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the reliability of the results by subtracting the studies one by one. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed using TSA software (version 0.9.5.10 Beta), maintaining an overall 5% risk of a type I error, a relative risk reduction of 20%, and a power of 80%.

Results

Study characteristics

Fifty-five case–control studies2,2474 including 15,648 cancer cases and 19,159 controls met the eligibility criteria and were finally included in this meta-analysis (Figure 1). A total of 194 studies were excluded after screening the title, abstract and full-text, because of irrelevant information, incomplete genetic data, or duplicate contents. Among the 55 included studies, 11 focused on lung cancer (LC), 10 on gynecological cancers [cervical cancer (CC), endometrial cancer (EM) and ovarian cancer (OVC)], six on colorectal cancer (CRC), five on gastric cancer (GC), four each on esophageal cancer (EC), breast cancer (BC), and oral cancer (OC), three on prostate cancer (PC), one on bladder cancer (UBC), and the others on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and neuroblastoma (NB). The included studies were grouped according to ethnicity, including 38 studies of Asian populations, 13 in White populations, three in African populations, and one in a mixed population. In addition, 31 studies recruited controls from HB sources and 24 recruited controls from PB sources. Regarding quality assessment, we determined the NOS score and excluded studies that scored less than 6 points. Detailed demographic information on the included studies is presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Baseline demographic information of the included studies.

Study ID Country Ethnicity Genotyping method Control type Cancer type Cases Controls
Cases

Controls

HWE (p)
NOS score
EE DE DD EE DE DD Crude Adjusted
Ahomadegbe et al.37 France White PCR HB BC 59 34 1 22 36 0 7 27 0.503 0.940 7
Arfaoui et al.42 Tunisia White PCR PB CRC 150 204 26 47 77 22 73 109 0.074 0.344 8
Carastro et al.39 USA White TaqMan HB PC 1232 586 65 417 750 27 202 357 0.817 0.998 9
Carastro et al.39 USA African TaqMan HB PC 60 85 2 9 49 1 16 68 0.957 0.998 6
Chen et al.51 USA White PCR-RFLP PB OC 326 349 20 111 195 20 115 214 0.387 0.885 7
Chen et al.69 USA White PCR-RFLP PB OC 188 349 14 60 114 20 114 215 0.349 0.849 7
Choi et al.47 Korea Asian PCR-CTPP HB LC 582 582 41 221 320 32 212 338 0.869 0.998 8
Craveiro et al.26 Portugal White PCR PB CC 141 176 8 38 95 9 48 119 0.164 0.483 7
De Feo et al.36 Italy White PCR HB GC 114 295 8 22 84 10 71 214 0.183 0.513 7
Ebeid et al.66 Egypt African PCR-CTPP HB BC 80 80 13 29 38 5 15 60 0.010 0.183 6
Feng et al.38 China Asian PCR HB CC 180 180 10 67 103 11 55 114 0.220 0.588 7
Ge et al.67 China Asian PCR-RFLP HB GC 259 630 14 99 146 29 210 391 0.906 0.998 7
Ge et al.49 China Asian PCR-RFLP HB EC 348 583 21 113 214 28 184 371 0.403 0.885 8
Guo et al.52 China Asian HRMPCR HB CC 175 189 22 46 107 10 70 109 0.775 0.998 7
Hamajima et al.31 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB EC 102 241 6 29 67 10 98 133 0.122 0.400 7
Hamajima et al.31 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB GC 144 241 9 51 84 10 98 133 0.122 0.400 7
Hamajima et al.31 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB CRC 147 241 10 50 87 10 98 133 0.122 0.400 6
Han et al.63 USA Mixed TaqMan HB SC 753 832 37 259 457 34 273 525 0.841 0.998 8
Hiraki et al.43 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB LC 189 235 12 68 109 10 95 130 0.151 0.470 7
Hishida et al.65 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB NHL 103 440 11 43 49 27 152 261 0.442 0.885 6
Hu et al.60 China Asian PCR-SSCP PB LC 425 588 21 149 255 45 248 295 0.472 0.911 6
Huang et al.62 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP PB BC 200 282 18 64 118 17 112 153 0.556 0.998 7
Huang et al.54 China Asian HRM PB LC 642 354 22 222 398 26 136 192 0.777 0.998 7
Jaiswal et al.56 India Asian PCR-CTPP HB UBC 200 200 16 67 117 6 57 137 0.981 0.998 8
Jha et al.28 India Asian PCR PB CC 101 100 2 28 71 4 19 77 0.062 0.317 8
Jun et al.55 Korea Asian PCR-RFLP PB LC 582 582 41 221 320 32 212 338 0.869 0.998 8
Kang et al.48 China Asian PCR PB OVC 257 257 19 74 164 14 92 151 0.998 0.998 9
Lee et al.35 Korea Asian PCR-CTPP PB CRC 383 469 29 171 183 25 173 271 0.701 0.998 7
Li et al.32 USA White PCR HB LC 1054 1139 67 394 593 53 365 721 0.436 0.885 7
Li et al.54 USA White PCR-CTPP HB HNC 708 1229 38 271 399 69 387 773 0.028 0.197 8
Li et al.61 USA White PCR-CTPP HB SC 805 838 50 287 468 39 302 497 0.422 0.885 8
Li et al.71 China Asian PCR-CTPP HB LC 186 196 12 80 94 27 71 98 0.020 0.197 6
Liu et al.44 China Asian PCR-RFLP HB CRC 60 60 15 19 26 3 21 36 0.978 0.998 6
Misra et al.74 India Asian PCR HB OC 303 319 15 176 112 9 124 186 0.028 0.197 7
Mittal et al.50 India Asian PCR-RFLP PB PC 177 265 0 56 121 7 66 192 0.645 0.998 6
Niwa et al.41 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB CC 112 442 3 52 57 22 150 270 0.843 0.998 6
Niwa et al.27 Japan Asian PCR HB EMC 114 442 14 39 61 22 150 270 0.843 0.998 6
Pfeifer et al.57 Sweden White PCR-RFLP PB CRC 179 260 12 54 113 5 96 159 0.027 0.197 6
Rao et al.33 India Asian PCR-CTPP PB OC 204 212 8 40 156 4 49 159 0.921 0.998 7
Romani et al.24 Italy White PCR PB NB 73 150 3 39 31 7 49 94 0.850 0.998 6
Ryan et al.46 Ireland White PCR PB EC 84 152 1 41 42 15 65 72 0.953 0.998 6
Shirai et al.70 Japan Asian PCR-CTPP HB GC 388 419 26 142 220 24 156 239 0.826 0.998 7
Sun et al.84 China Asian PCR-CTPP PB CC 218 220 11 100 107 12 80 128 0.914 0.998 8
Umar et al.72 Indian Asian PCR PB EC 255 255 11 70 174 4 51 200 0.719 0.998 7
Wang et al.59 China Asian PCR-CTPP HB LC 168 195 8 59 101 25 68 102 0.015 0.197 6
Wang et al.64 China Asian PCR-CTPP HB LC 186 198 10 68 108 26 68 104 0.009 0.183 6
Wang et al.73 China Asian MALDI-TOF HB HCC 100 100 7 31 62 7 28 65 0.119 0.400 7
Wu et al.45 China Asian TaqMan HB LC 460 922 17 149 294 71 361 490 0.691 0.998 7
Yazici et al.30 Turkey White PCR-CTPP PB CRC 104 113 1 43 60 1 38 74 0.101 0.400 7
Zhang et al.40 China Asian PCR-CTPP PB GC 373 412 82 168 123 116 194 102 0.246 0.626 8
Zhang et al.68 China Asian PCR-RFLP HB LC 293 380 14 116 163 13 120 247 0.735 0.998 8
Zhang et al.25 China Asian PCR PB HNC 569 479 26 220 323 17 147 315 0.977 0.998 9
Zheng34 China Asian PCR-RFLP PB CC 82 100 2 22 58 4 19 77 0.062 0.317 6
Zheng et al.29 China Asian PCR-CTPP PB CC 101 100 2 28 71 4 19 77 0.062 0.317 6
Zhou & Wu2 China Asian MALDI-TOF PB BC 170 178 5 59 106 11 67 100 0.960 0.998 6
Totals 15,648 19,159 978 5620 9050 1111 6566 11,482

DD, GC/GC; DE, GC/AT; EE, AT/AT; NB, neuroblastoma; BC, breast cancer; EC, esophageal cancer; GC, gastric cancer; SC, skin cancer; CRC, colorectal cancer; LC, lung cancer; NHC, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; HNC, head and neck cancer; EMC, endometrial cancer; OC, oral cancer; PC, prostate cancer; CC, cervical cancer; OVC, ovarian cancer; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; UBC, bladder cancer; HWE, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium; PCT, polymerase chain reaction; RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism; HRM, high-resolution melting; CTPP, confronting two-pair primers.

Association of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant with cancer

We evaluated the overall impact of the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant on cancer in a meta-analysis of 55 studies, using seven common genetic models. Five of the genetic models showed significant risk associations with overall cancer, including AM, COD1, COD2, DM, and OD. COD3 and RM did not confirm a significant association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 and cancer susceptibility (Table 2, Figure 2).

Table 2.

Associations of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism with cancer risk in different ethnicities.

Comparison Subgroup N PH I2 Model OR 95% Cl PZ
AM (E vs. D) Overall 55 <0.0001 70.16 Random 1.10 1.02–1.18 0.010
White 13 0.0001 18.7 Fixed 1.14 1.07–1.22 0.0001
Asian 38 <0.0001 75.04 Random 1.07 0.97–1.18 0.161
African 3 0.020 74.36 Random 1.55 0.86–2.79 0.150
COD1 (DE vs. DD) Overall 55 <0.0001 63.91 Random 1.09 1.01–1.19 0.035
White 13 0.025 48.7 Random 1.13 0.99–1.29 0.068
Asian 38 <0.0001 68 Random 1.07 0.96–1.20 0.193
African 3 0.016 75.77 Random 1.29 0.57–2.90 0.539
COD2 (EE vs. DD) Overall 55 <0.0001 59.22 Random 1.18 1.00–1.40 0.046
White 13 0.472 0 Fixed 1.30 1.08–1.55 0.004
Asian 38 <0.0001 66.11 Random 1.10 0.89–1.38 0.381
African 3 0.379 0 Fixed 2.12 1.24–3.64 0.006
COD3 (EE vs. DE) Overall 55 0.0002 45.47 Random 1.10 0.95–1.27 0.211
White 13 0.119 32.92 Fixed 1.14 0.95–1.37 0.168
Asian 38 0.0001 51.69 Random 1.05 0.87–1.26 0.631
African 3 0.778 0 Fixed 1.77 1.00–3.14 0.051
DM (EE+DE vs. DD) Overall 55 <0.0001 67.98 Random 1.11 1.02–1.21 0.015
White 13 0.081 37.94 Random 1.15 1.03–1.29 0.016
Asian 38 <0.0001 72.62 Random 1.08 0.97–1.21 0.164
African 3 0.012 77.27 Random 1.48 0.69–3.19 0.312
RM (EE vs. DE+DD) Overall 55 <0.0001 53.83 Random 1.15 0.99–1.34 0.068
White 13 0.335 10.97 Fixed 1.24 1.04–1.48 0.019
Asian 38 <0.0001 60.87 Random 1.08 0.89–1.32 0.432
African 3 0.684 0 Fixed 2.00 1.19–3.37 0.009
OD (DE vs. EE+DD) Overall 56 <0.0001 59.88 Random 1.08 1.00–1.17 0.044
White 13 0.014 52.57 Random 1.12 0.97–1.28 0.114
Asian 38 <0.0001 63.33 Random 1.07 0.97–1.18 0.178
African 3 0.030 71.53 Random 1.14 0.55–2.38 0.716

AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Forest plots of results of different genetic models for the association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer development.

AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity

We compared the results of the seven genetic models among the three ethnic populations: Asian, African, and White (Table 2). There was no significant association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 and cancer susceptibility in the Asian population. Only the COD2 and RM models showed significant high-risk associations in African populations, while the AM, COD2, DM, and RM models showed significantly increased cancer risks in carriers of the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 in White populations. Forest plots of the results of the AM model for the association of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 with cancer development in different ethnic populations are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Forest plots of results of allele model (AM) on association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer development in relation to ethnicity.

OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Subgroup analysis based on cancer types

All the genetic models were applied to analyze the correlation between the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant and each cancer type (Table 3). The AM and DM models demonstrated significantly increased susceptibility to gynecological cancers (OVC, CC and EM) in carriers of the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant. Five of the genetic models, including AM, COD2, COD3, DM, and RM indicated significant a significant association of the variant with susceptibility to CRC. The G4C14-A4T14 variant was only associated with oral cancer (OC) risk in the COD2 model. Four genetic models implied significant risk susceptibility for HNC, including AM, COD1, DM, and OD model. Cancers in ‘others’ category (HCC+NHL+NB) also showed significant risk association with TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant in four genetic models- AM, COD1, DM, and OD model. No connection of this polymorphism was found with the risk of LC, EC, GC, BC, UBC+PC, and SC development. Forest plots presenting AM on the cancer type-based association of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant with cancer development are presented in Figure 4.

Table 3.

Associations of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism with risks of different cancer types.

Comparison Subgroup N PH I2 Model OR 95% Cl PZ
AM (E vs. D) LC 11 <0.0001 85.05 Random 0.90 0.76–1.08 0.260
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.781 0 Fixed 1.16 1.04–1.31 0.011
CRC 6 0.124 42.12 Fixed 1.26 1.10–1.44 0.0007
GC 5 0.038 60.58 Random 0.98 0.81–1.19 0.872
EC 4 0.010 73.76 Random 1.04 0.75–1.45 0.819
BC 4 0.0003 84.3 Random 1.36 0.77–2.42 0.290
OC 4 0.009 74.25 Random 1.22 0.91–1.63 0.178
UBC+PC 4 0.169 40.46 Fixed 1.10 0.96–1.26 0.176
HNC 2 0.367 0 Fixed 1.25 1.10–1.41 0.0006
SC 2 0.865 0 Fixed 1.09 0.97–1.23 0.151
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.404 0 Fixed 1.44 1.14–1.81 0.002
COD1 (DE vs. DD) LC 11 0.0001 72.65 Random 0.97 0.82–1.15 0.764
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.031 50.99 Random 1.18 0.95–1.47 0.134
CRC 6 0.069 51.07 Random 1.06 0.81–1.38 0.684
GC 5 0.139 42.45 Fixed 0.94 0.80–1.10 0.452
EC 4 0.033 65.66 Random 1.04 0.72–1.49 0.846
BC 4 0.002 79.29 Random 1.31 0.69–2.49 0.401
OC 4 0.0002 84.57 Random 1.21 0.76–1.95 0.421
UBC+PC 4 0.315 15.37 Fixed 1.08 0.91–1.28 0.374
HNC 2 0.660 0 Fixed 1.39 1.19–1.63 3.44×10−5
SC 2 0.609 0 Fixed 1.05 0.90–1.21 0.536
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.223 33.32 Fixed 1.61 1.18–2.20 0.003
COD2 (EE vs. DD) LC 11 <0.0001 79.36 Random 0.75 0.50–1.11 0.148
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.313 14.15 Fixed 1.34 0.98–1.81 0.064
CRC 6 0.387 4.56 Fixed 1.97 1.39–2.78 0.0001
GC 5 0.035 61.42 Random 1.10 0.68–1.76 0.702
EC 4 0.054 60.65 Random 1.16 0.49–2.76 0.732
BC 4 0.042 63.43 Random 1.39 0.52–3.75 0.510
OC 4 0.361 6.4 Fixed 1.51 1.02–2.25 0.042
UBC+PC 4 0.082 55.26 Random 1.44 0.56–3.67 0.447
HNC 2 0.384 0 Fixed 1.18 0.84–1.67 0.348
SC 2 0.797 0 Fixed 1.31 0.95–1.81 0.102
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.535 0 Fixed 1.64 0.92–2.91 0.092
COD3 (EE vs. DE) LC 11 0.005 60.32 Random 0.78 0.58–1.05 0.102
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.016 55.74 Random 1.03 0.62–1.71 0.897
CRC 6 0.199 31.56 Fixed 1.81 1.27–2.59 0.001
GC 5 0.199 33.3 Fixed 1.02 0.79–1.32 0.864
EC 4 0.077 56.27 Random 1.16 0.50–2.70 0.726
BC 4 0.312 15.9 Fixed 1.27 0.74–2.17 0.384
OC 4 0.700 0 Fixed 1.26 0.83–1.89 0.276
UBC+PC 4 0.132 46.61 Fixed 1.28 0.84–1.95 0.256
HNC 2 0.507 0 Fixed 0.85 0.60–1.21 0.374
SC 2 0.635 0 Fixed 1.25 0.90–1.75 0.182
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.462 0 Fixed 1.08 0.60–1.94 0.801
DM(EE+DE vs. DD) LC 11 <0.0001 80.92 Random 0.93 0.77–1.13 0.454
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.287 16.99 Fixed 1.18 1.02–1.36 0.022
CRC 6 0.102 45.62 Fixed 1.20 1.02–1.42 0.027
GC 5 0.063 55.14 Random 0.94 0.75–1.18 0.606
EC 4 0.020 69.4 Random 1.04 0.72–1.51 0.824
BC 4 0.001 83.18 Random 1.39 0.71–2.72 0.333
OC 4 0.0003 84.09 Random 1.26 0.81–1.97 0.305
UBC+PC 4 0.274 22.87 Fixed 1.10 0.95–1.30 0.250
HNC 2 0.499 0 Fixed 1.36 1.17–1.59 5.2×−10−5
SC 2 0.708 0 Fixed 1.08 0.94–1.24 0.302
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.246 28.63 Fixed 1.61 1.20–2.16 0.002
RM (EE vs. DE+DD) LC 11 <0.0001 74.92 Random 0.76 0.53–1.08 0.124
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.130 34.78 Fixed 1.31 0.97–1.77 0.081
CRC 6 0.309 16.24 Fixed 1.89 1.35–2.65 0.0002
GC 5 0.105 47.75 Fixed 0.95 0.75–1.21 0.683
EC 4 0.060 59.41 Random 1.18 0.51–2.74 0.698
BC 4 0.115 49.39 Fixed 1.36 0.82–2.26 0.231
OC 4 0.693 0 Fixed 1.37 0.93–2.03 0.112
UBC+PC 4 0.098 52.37 Random 1.40 0.57–3.42 0.460
HNC 2 0.413 0 Fixed 1.05 0.74–1.47 0.795
SC 2 0.732 0 Fixed 1.29 0.94–1.78 0.118
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.518 0 Fixed 1.38 0.79–2.42 0.254
OD (DE vs. EE+DD) LC 11 0.002 63.76 Random 1.01 0.87–1.16 0.914
Gynecological (CC+EM+OVC) 10 0.007 60.39 Random 1.16 0.91–1.48 0.222
CRC 6 0.045 55.95 Random 0.97 0.74–1.27 0.816
GC 5 0.370 6.47 Fixed 0.97 0.83–1.13 0.723
EC 4 0.031 66.35 Random 1.05 0.73–1.51 0.788
BC 4 0.007 74.96 Random 1.23 0.70–2.18 0.478
OC 4 0.001 83.05 Random 1.18 0.75–1.83 0.477
UBC+PC 4 0.323 13.79 Fixed 1.06 0.90–1.26 0.474
HNC 2 0.744 0 Fixed 1.38 1.18–1.61 5.29×10−5
SC 2 0.553 0 Fixed 1.03 0.89–1.19 0.729
Other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB) 3 0.190 39.8 Fixed 1.52 1.13–2.06 0.006

AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model; BC, breast cancer; EC, esophageal cancer; GC, gastric cancer; SC, skin cancer; CRC, colorectal cancer; LC, lung cancer; HNC, head and neck cancer; EM, endometrial cancer; OC, oral cancer; PC, prostate cancer; CC, cervical cancer; OVC, ovarian cancer; UBC, bladder cancer; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Forest plots of results of allele model (AM) on association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer development in relation to cancer type.

OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Subgroup analysis based on control sources

Among the two types of controls, only studies with HB controls revealed a significant risk susceptibility of the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant for cancer development. Five genetic models supported this association namely, the AM, COD1, COD2, DM, and RM models. Studies with PB controls did not reveal any significant risk susceptibility for cancer in relation to the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant (Table 4).

Table 4.

Associations of TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism with cancer risk based on control source.

Comparison Subgroup N PH I2 Model OR 95% Cl PZ
AM (E vs. D) PB 24 <0.0001 66.33 Random 1.05 0.95–1.17 0.343
HB 31 <0.0001 72.17 Random 1.13 1.03–1.24 0.010
COD1 (DE vs. DD) PB 24 <0.0001 62.95 Random 1.07 0.94–1.22 0.312
HB 31 <0.0001 65.03 Random 1.11 1.00–1.24 0.053
COD2 (EE vs. DD) PB 24 0.0005 55.96 Random 1.04 0.80–1.35 0.789
HB 31 <0.0001 60.08 Random 1.29 1.05–1.59 0.017
COD3 (EE vs. DE) PB 24 0.0174 41.81 Random 1.02 0.81–1.29 0.848
HB 31 0.002 48.76 Random 1.15 0.95–1.39 0.148
DM (EE+DE vs. DD) PB 24 <0.0001 65.83 Random 1.07 0.94–1.22 0.310
HB 31 <0.0001 69.51 Random 1.14 1.02–1.27 0.019
RM (EE vs. DE+DD) PB 24 0.004 48.93 Random 1.04 0.82–1.32 0.750
HB 31 0.0001 56.27 Random 1.23 1.01–1.50 0.037
OD (DE vs. EE+DD) PB 24 0.0002 58.32 Random 1.08 0.95–1.22 0.245
HB 31 <0.0001 61.82 Random 1.09 0.98–1.21 0.098

HB, hospital-based; PB, population-based; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Test of heterogeneity

We determined the level of heterogeneity in this meta-analysis by Q-test. The level of significance was determined by PH and the level of heterogeneity was estimated by I2 statistics. Heterogeneity was significant in the maximum subgroup analysis models (PH<0.1) and random-effects models were applied, while fixed-effects models were used for analyses with PH>0.10. There was significant heterogeneity in all the genetic models for overall cancer. The results for the heterogeneity test of heterogeneity are displayed in Tables 24.

Publication bias and sensitivity analysis

Publication bias was determined using Egger’s and Begg–Mazumdar’s tests (Table 5). The funnel plots are shown in Figure 5. We conducted the bias study on the overall analysis with 55 studies using seven genetic models. There was no noticeable visual asymmetry signifying the presence of publication bias. Moreover, the pooled outcomes of this study were considered to be free from publication bias because the p-values were not significant in any of the seven genetic models.

Table 5.

Publication bias analysis.

Test
Genetic model
AM COD1 COD2 COD3 DM RM OD
Egger’s test 0.277 0.630 0.524 0.882 0.434 0.563 0.676
Begg–Mazumdar’s test 0.364 0.437 0.913 0.948 0.446 0.404 0.557

AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model.

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Funnel plots indicating publication bias of included studies for different models.

AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

To confirm the authenticity of the final findings, we conducted a sensitivity analysis of the studies by sequential elimination of the studies. The impact of each study on the final pooled ORs was checked, and none of the studies affected the pooled ORs. The sensitivity analysis thus confirmed the credibility and robustness of this meta-analysis (Table 6).

Table 6.

Sensitivity analysis of the included studies.

Study COD1 (DE vs. DD) COD2 (EE vs. DD) COD3 (EE vs. DE) DM (EE+DE vs. DD) RM (EE vs. DE+DD) OD (DE vs. EE+DE) AM (E vs. D)
Overall 1.09 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Ahomadegbe et al.37 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.1 (1.02–1.20) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Arfaoui et al.42 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.17 (0.99–1.39) 1.08 (0.94–1.26) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Carastro et al.39 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.35) 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Carastro et al.39 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Chen et al.51 1.09 (1.01–1.19) 1.19 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Chen et al.69 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Choi et al.47 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Craveiro et al.26 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
De Feo et al.36 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.17 (0.99–1.38) 1.08 (0.94–1.25) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Ebeid et al.66 1.08 (1.00–1.18) 1.16 (0.99–1.37) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.14 (0.98–1.32) 1.07 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.01–1.16)
Feng et al.38 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.19 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Ge et al.67 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Ge et al.49 1.09 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Guo et al.52 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.17 (0.99–1.38) 1.07 (0.93–1.24) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.13 (0.97–1.32) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Hamajima et al.31 1.1 (1.02–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.03–1.18)
Hamajima et al.31 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Hamajima et al.31 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.12 (1.02–1.21) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Han et al.63 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Hiraki et al.43 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Hishida et al.65 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.17 (0.99–1.38) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Hu et al.60 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.21 (1.02–1.42) 1.11 (0.96–1.29) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.17 (1.01–1.36) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.11 (1.03–1.19)
Huang et al.62 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.39) 1.08 (0.94–1.26) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Huang et al.54 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.21 (1.03–1.43) 1.12 (0.97–1.29) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.18 (1.02–1.37) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.11 (1.03–1.19)
Jaiswal et al.56 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.16 (0.99–1.37) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.14 (0.98–1.32) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Jha et al.28 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.19 (1.01–1.40) 1.1 (0.96–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Jun et al.55 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Kang et al.48 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.03–1.18)
Lee et al.35 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.17 (0.99–1.39) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.14 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Li et al.32 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.17 (0.99–1.39) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.14 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.09 (1.02–1.18)
Li et al.54 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.19 (1.00–1.41) 1.11 (0.96–1.29) 1.11 (1.01–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (0.99–1.16) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Li et al.61 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (0.99–1.40) 1.09 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Li et al.71 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.21 (1.02–1.42) 1.12 (0.97–1.29) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.18 (1.01–1.36) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.03–1.19)
Liu et al.44 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.16 (0.99–1.36) 1.08 (0.94–1.25) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.13 (0.98–1.31) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.09 (1.01–1.17)
Misra et al.74 1.07 (0.99–1.16) 1.16 (0.99–1.37) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.06 (0.99–1.15) 1.08 (1.01–1.16)
Mittal et al.50 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.19 (1.01–1.40) 1.1 (0.96–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.16 (1.00–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Niwa et al.41 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.19 (1.01–1.41) 1.11 (0.96–1.28) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.16 (1.00–1.35) 1.07 (0.99–1.16) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Niwa et al.27 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.16 (0.98–1.37) 1.08 (0.93–1.25) 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.13 (0.97–1.31) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Pfeifer et al.57 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.37) 1.08 (0.93–1.24) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.13 (0.98–1.32) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Rao et al.33 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.17 (0.99–1.39) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.14 (0.98–1.33) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Romani et al.24 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.07 (0.99–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Ryan et al.46 1.09 (1.01–1.19) 1.2 (1.02–1.41) 1.11 (0.96–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.16 (1.00–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.03–1.18)
Shirai et al.70 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.94–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.09 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Sun et al.84 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.11 (0.95–1.28) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.18)
Umar et al.72 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.17 (0.99–1.38) 1.09 (0.94–1.26) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.14 (0.98–1.32) 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.01–1.17)
Wang et al.59 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.21 (1.03–1.42) 1.12 (0.97–1.29) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.18 (1.01–1.36) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.11 (1.03–1.19)
Wang et al.64 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.21 (1.03–1.42) 1.12 (0.97–1.29) 1.12 (1.03–1.21) 1.18 (1.01–1.37) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.11 (1.03–1.19)
Wang et al.73 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.21) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Wu et al.45 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.22 (1.04–1.43) 1.12 (0.97–1.29) 1.12 (1.04–1.22) 1.18 (1.02–1.37) 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 1.11 (1.04–1.19)
Yazici et al.30 1.09 (1.00–1.19) 1.18 (1.00–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.15 (0.99–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Zhang et al.40 1.1 (1.02–1.20) 1.21 (1.03–1.42) 1.11 (0.96–1.29) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.17 (1.00–1.36) 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.11 (1.03–1.19)
Zhang et al.68 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.18 (0.99–1.39) 1.1 (0.95–1.27) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Zhang et al.25 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.18 (0.99–1.39) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.1 (1.01–1.20) 1.15 (0.98–1.34) 1.07 (0.99–1.16) 1.09 (1.02–1.17)
Zheng34 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.19 (1.01–1.40) 1.1 (0.95–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Zheng et al.29 1.09 (1.00–1.18) 1.19 (1.01–1.40) 1.1 (0.96–1.28) 1.11 (1.02–1.20) 1.16 (0.99–1.35) 1.08 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.02–1.18)
Zhou & Wu2 1.1 (1.01–1.19) 1.2 (1.02–1.41) 1.11 (0.96–1.28) 1.12 (1.03–1.22) 1.17 (1.00–1.36) 1.09 (1.00–1.17) 1.1 (1.03–1.19)

All values presented represent odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals; AM, allele model; COD1, codominant model 1; COD2, codominant model 2; COD3, codominant model 3; DM, dominant model; RM, recessive model; OD, overdominant model.

TSA outcomes

The TSA plots (Figure 6) indicated that the Z-curves exceeded the required information size in the overall population and in Whites and Asians, indicating that the total cases and controls were sufficient to confirm the outcomes, and no further studies were required. However, the Z-curve did not exceed the required information size in Africans, and further studies are therefore required to confirm the outcome.

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Trial sequential analysis (TSA) of association between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer risk in allele model. (a) Overall population; (b) Whites; (c) Asians; and (d) Africans.

Discussion

The TP73 gene encodes multiple protein isoforms with similar or opposite functions. The protein shows almost 63% homology with the tumor suppressor protein p53 in terms of its DNA-binding capability, oligomerization of the domains, and gene transactivation.21 The protein isoforms of p73 arise from the utilization of different promoter sites and alternative mRNA splicing. Two common isoforms of p73 are TAp73 (TA domain present) and ΔNp73 (TA domain absent). Of these, TAp73 mimics the tumor suppression activities of p53 by inducing apoptosis, arresting G1 cell cycle checkpoint, and regulating the transcription of p53-related genes, while ΔNp73 exerts opposing functions by promoting oncogenic activities due to the lack of TA domain. ΔNp73 acts as an inhibitor of both p53 and p73 proteins.10,22,81,82 The TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant of exon 2 potentially influences the translation of p73 by forming a stem-loop structure.21 A recent study identified a significant association between the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant and ΔNp73 tumoral immunostaining in 91% of cancer patients.83 High expression of ΔNp73 in carriers of the G4C14-A4T14 variant demonstrates the potential role of this polymorphism in carcinogenesis. Numerous studies have evaluated this association, but most of the findings have been inconclusive. We carried out the current meta-analysis to address these inconsistencies, and showed that the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant could significantly elevate the risk of cancer.

Recent studies have examined the association between the G4C14-A4T14 variant and lung cancer risk in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most of these studies reported no significant risk association, and no significant difference in the frequency of the variant between patients and controls. However, some studies found that this variant was associated with a reduced risk of NSCLC in AT/AT carriers compared with GC/GC carriers.43,45,47,59,60,64,71 In contrast, other studies showed that this polymorphism could significantly increase the risk of NSCLC among the variant GC/AT and AT/AT genotype carriers, and a high GC content increased the risk. TP73 and MDM2 variants jointly increase the risk of lung cancer, depending on the number of variant alleles.32,54,55,68 The G4C14-A4T14 variant also increased the risk of gynecological cancers, with a two-fold increase in susceptibility to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in women carrying the TP73 AT allele.26 The risks of CC and EM cancers were also increased among carriers of the TP73 polymorphism who were passive smokers.27,28,41,58 However, some association studies failed to detect any significant association between TP73 genotype and tumor stage, histological type, or lymph node metastasis in patients with gynecological cancers.29,48,52 Regarding CRC, AT/AT homozygous genotype of TP73 was associated with an increased risk of CRC and a poor prognosis, whereas AT allele carriers had a better prognosis. However, another study failed to observe any significant association between the TP73 GC/AT variant genotype and allele distribution and clinical parameters of CRC.30,35,42,44,57 Some previous studies identified the AC/GT genotype of G4C14-A4T14 as a significant risk factor for GCs, although other studies found no such association.31,36,40,67,70

Decreased expression of p73 mRNA was identified in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory BC cells compared with normal breast epithelial cells, indicating that this variant might increase the risk of BC by reducing the expression of p73. A recent study postulated that the TP73 GC/AT and AT/AT genotypes could increase the susceptibility to BC, while another study found that the GC/GC genotype was associated with an increased risk of triple-negative BC,2,37,66 and yet another study found no significant association between this polymorphism and BC.62 Similar findings were observed in EC studies with contradictory conclusions.31,46,67,72 TP73 G4C14-A4T14 was recently identified as a risk factor for OC development.33,51,74 Although the risk variant was associated with an increased risk of UBC, it showed a significant inverse relationship with PC.39,50,56 Among other studies of the association between this variant and OC, SC, HNC, and other cancers (HCC+NHL+ NB), most identified G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism as a risk variant for cancer.24,25,49,53,61,65,69,73

The current meta-analysis of 55 case–control studies found that the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant was linked to an increased risk of overall cancer development. Five of the tested genetic models (AM, COD1, COD2, DM, and OD) showed a significantly increased risk of overall cancer (1.10, 1.09, 1.18, 1.11, and 1.08-fold, respectively). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity also showed a significant association between the variant and cancer risk in Africans in two genetic models (COD2, 2.12-fold; RM, 2.00-fold), while four genetic models reported significantly elevated cancer risks among TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant carriers in White populations (AM, 1.14-fold; COD2, 1.30-fold; DM, 1.15-fold; RM, 1.24-fold). In terms of specific cancers, sub-group analysis identified significant associations between the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant and the risks of gynecological cancer (OVC, CC and EM), CRC, OC, HNC, and other cancers (HCC+NHL+NB). An increased susceptibility to gynecological cancers was reported in two genetic models (AM, OR  =  1.16; DM, OR  =  1.18), an increased risk of CRC in five genetic models (AM, OR  =  1.26; COD2, OR  =  1.97; COD3, OR  =  1.81; DM, OR  =  1.20; RM, OR = 1.89). The G4C14-A4T14 variant was only associated with OC according to the COD2 model (OR = 1.51) and with HNC according to the AM (OR = 1.25), COD1 (OR = 1.39), DM (OR = 1.36), and OD models (OR = 1.38). The variant was significantly associated with ‘other cancers’ according to the AM (1.57-fold), COD1 (1.80-fold), DM (1.82-fold), and OD (1.67-fold) genetic association models. Moreover, studies with HB controls revealed significant susceptibility of G4C14-A4T14 variant carriers to cancer according to the AM (OR = 1.13), COD1 (OR = 1.11), COD2 (OR = 1.27), DM (OR = 1.14), and RM models (OR = 1.22).

Some previous systematic meta-analyses examined the relationship between various cancer types and the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant. Yu and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of 23 case–control studies and reported that this polymorphism might be significantly associated with cancer risk in Asian and White populations.75 Another meta-analysis of 27 case–control studies concluded that carriers of the AT/AT genotype might be at high-risk of developing cancer among Asians and Whites.76 A further meta-analysis of five case–control studies in 2017 confirmed that the polymorphism was associated with CC risk, but the number of included studies was small.77 Meng et al. performed a recent meta-analysis of 36 case–control studies and found that the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant was associated with an increased cancer risk, especially among Whites.78 In contrast to these previous meta-analyses, the current meta-analysis included a large number of studies (55 case–control studies) that provided more consistent outcomes than previous studies. Moreover, we validated the stability and consistency of our findings by carrying out heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses, as well as TSA. The results of this study provide strong evidence for an association between the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant and cancer development, by successfully avoiding publication bias. The quality of the included studies was also evaluated by NOS scoring, and low-quality studies were excluded to maintain the robustness of the final findings.

Although the present meta-analysis was conducted carefully, some limitations could not be avoided. The number of studies included in some of the subgroups was small, due to the lack of available information. In addition, some basic information on both the patients and controls was lacking, such as age, sex, medication, and body mass index, which could have further enriched the analysis. Further analyses should therefore be conducted, including more studies, to confirm the relationship between TP73 G4C14-A4T14 and cancer risk.

Conclusion

This updated meta-analysis provides strong evidence indicating that the TP73 G4C14-A4T14 variant may elevate the overall cancer risk, especially in White and African populations. Carriers of the G4C14-A4T14 variant have increased risks of developing gynecological cancers, such as cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, as well as colorectal, head and neck, and oral cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and neuroblastoma. Moreover, studies recruiting HB controls revealed a significant association between the G4C14-A4T14 variant and cancer risk.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, for supporting the authors during the study.

Footnotes

Author contributions: Mohammad Safiqul Islam: conceptualization, supervision, data analysis, software; Sarah Jafrin and Md. Abdul Aziz: literature search; Sarah Jafrin: writing- original draft preparation, methodology; Md. Abdul Aziz: writing – original draft preparation, methodology; writing – reviewing and editing; Mohammad Safiqul Islam: writing – reviewing and editing.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest

Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Availability of data and material

All relevant data that support the study's results are accessible upon request from the corresponding author.

ORCID iD

Mohammad Safiqul Islam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4924-5319

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Associated Data

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Data Availability Statement

All relevant data that support the study's results are accessible upon request from the corresponding author.


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