Aim: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibit tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), playing a notable role in various biological processes, and mutations in TIMP2 genes impact a variety of urinary cancers. In this study, we analyze and evaluate the potential involvement of the TIMP2 418 G/C and MMP gene polymorphism in the etiology of urinary cancer. Methodology: For suitable case-control studies, a literature search was undertaken from various database sources such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Incorporated into the analysis were case-control or cohort studies that documented the correlation between TIMP2 418 G/C and urological cancers. MetaGenyo served as the tool for conducting the meta-analysis, employing a fixed-effects model. The collective odds ratios, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals, were calculated and presented to assess the robustness of the observed associations. Results: A total of seven studies involving controls and cases out of recorded 1265 controls and 1154 cases were analyzed to ascertain the significant association of the TIMP2 gene with urologic cancer. No statistically significant correlation was observed between allelic, recessive, dominant, and overdominant models for the genetic variant under investigation. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and odds ratio (OR) were computed for each model, considering p-values <0.05. The OR and 95% CI for the allelic model were 0.99 and 0.77-1.27, respectively, whereas the respective values were 1.00 and 0.76-1.32 for the recessive model. In the dominant contrast model, OR and 95% CI were 1.09 and 0.62-1.90, while the same were 0.93 and 0.77-1.12 for the overdominant model. A funnel plot was used to reanalyze and detect the results as statically satisfactory. Conclusions: As a result of the data obtained, the TIMP2 gene polymorphism does not correlate statistically with cancer risk. The significance of this finding can only be confirmed using a large population, extensive epidemiological research, a comprehensive survey, and a better understanding of the molecular pathways associated.
Keywords: TIMP2 gene polymorphism; matrix metalloproteinases; meta-analysis; publication bias; urinary cancer.