Relationships between p^14ARF gene methylation and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the relationships between p^14ARF gene methylation and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer (CRC). Databases, including Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library, were searched and, finally, a total of 18 eligible researches encompassing 1988 CRC patients were selected. Combined odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were evaluated under a fixed effects model for absence of heterogeneity. Significant associations were observed between p^14ARF gene methylation and tumor location (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.55-3.55, P = 0.001), microsatellite instability (MSI) status (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 2.12-5.07, P<0.0001). However, there were no significant associations between p^14ARF gene methylation and tumor stage, tumor differentiation. We concluded that p^14ARF gene methylation may be significantly associated with tumor location, and MSI status of CRC.