N-acetyltransferase polymorphism and risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer: a pooled analysis of variations from 59 studies

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42797. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042797. Epub 2012 Aug 14.

Abstract

Background: There have been an increasing number of studies with evidence suggesting that the N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes may be implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA). So far the published data on this association has remained controversial, however. We performed a meta-analysis of case-cohort and case-control studies using a subset of the published data, with an aim to derive a better understanding of the underlying relationship.

Methods/principal findings: A literature search was performed using Medline database for relevant studies published through October 31, 2011. A total of 39 publications were selected for this meta-analysis, including 11,724 cases and 16,215 controls for CRC, and 3,701 cases and 5,149 controls for CRA. In our pooled analysis of all these studies, the results of our meta-analysis suggested that the NAT1 genotype was not significantly associated with an elevated CRC risk (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91-1.07). We also found that individuals with the rapid NAT2 genotype did have an elevated risk of CRC (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13). There was no evidence for an association between the NAT1 and 2 rapid genotype and an elevated CRA risk (NAT1: OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99-1.29; NAT2: OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.86-1.03).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that individuals with NAT2 genotype had an elevated risk of CRC. There was no evidence for the association between NAT1 and 2 rapid genotype and CRA risk.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyltransferases / genetics*
  • Adenoma / genetics*
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / genetics*
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / physiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / genetics*
  • Isoenzymes / physiology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Risk

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Acetyltransferases
  • Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase
  • N-acetyltransferase 1
  • NAT2 protein, human

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. S2011040003028). The funder conceived and designed the experiments, but had no role in data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.