Polymorphisms in DNA damage response genes and head and neck cancer risk

Background: Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have been reported contributing factors in head and neck cancer risk but studies have shown conflicting results. Objective: To clarify the impact of DNA repair gene polymorphisms in head and neck cancer risk. Method: A meta-analysis including 30 case-control studies was performed. Results: Marginally statistically significant association was found for XRCC1 codon 399 ( for Caucasians only), XPD Asp312Asn and XRCC1 codon 194 variants and head and neck cancer. Conclusion: Assessments of the effects of smoking, alcohol, human papillomavirus and race/ethnicity on the association between DNA repair gene polymorphisms and head and neck cancer are needed.