Previous studies have yielded controversial results related to the contribution of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) -1306 C/T and -735 C/T polymorphisms in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to provide strong evidence for the role of the 2 polymorphisms in genetic risk of CAD.The human case-control studies regarding the association of MMP-2 polymorphisms with CAD risk were systematically identified through online databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI) and manual search. Inclusion criteria were defined for the eligible studies. The fixed-effects meta-analysis was performed to combine the values when homogeneity was indicated. Alternatively, the random-effects meta-analysis was utilized.A total of 2118 samples were analyzed in the meta-analysis of -1306 C/T. The odds ratio for the initially tested genetic model was 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-1.10 under TT + CT vs CC). The remaining comparisons similarly showed -1306 C/T genotypes were not significantly associated with the risk of CAD. We noted the same trend when data were retrained to myocardial infarction studies. Meta-analysis of -735 C/T suggested no clear association with the development of CAD.The results of the current work fail to support a significant involvement of MMP-2 -1306 C/T and -735 C/T polymorphisms in the risk of developing CAD.