BRIP1 has a direct interaction with the BRCT motif containing domain of BRCA1 and collaborates with BRCA1 in maintenance of genome instability and tumor suppressor effects (
9). Moreover, inactivating truncating mutations in this gene are associated with both Fanconi anemia and vulnerability to breast cancer in homozygous and heterozygous states, respectively (
10). Based on the emerging evidences regarding the role of BRCA1and Fanconi anemia-related genes in breast cancer susceptibility (
7), we performed the present meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of SNPs within BRIP1 gene in conferring risk of breast cancer. We showed that rs4988344 was associated with breast cancer risk in homozygous and recessive models, while rs7213430 was associated with breast cancer in dominant model. The rs4988344 and rs7213430 have been located in 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) and intron 5 of BRIP1, respectively (
8). Ren et al. have reported the association between the A allele of rs7213430 and breast cancer risk Chinese Han population (
8). The rs7213430 is located in the miR-101 seed-binding region and the sequence having G allele has a greater binding affinity with miR-101 than the sequence containing the A allele (
11). Although the role of miR-101 as a tumour suppressor has been well documented in breast cancer (
12), there are no data regarding its interaction with BRCA1 or BRIP1 in breast tissue. Future studies are needed to elaborate such possible interactions and their role in the pathogenesis of this kind of malignancy. The association between rs4988344 and breast cancer has been evaluated in Chinese Han population (
8) as well as French Canadian individuals (
7). Both studies failed to detect any significant association. However, the pooled data of these studies confirmed the association of this variant with breast cancer risk.
Our meta-analysis had some limitations. Firstly, the sample size was still small even after data pooling, which may influence the study power to appraise the association between the BRIP1 polymorphisms and predisposition to breast cancer. Secondly, we could not analyze the effects of environmental risk factors, such as menarche and menopause age, history of breastfeeding, and use of any hormonal medications, which might contribute in breast cancer risk. Based on the absence of such data, we could not assess gene-environment interactions in the present study. Moreover, based on the scarcity of data regarding the association between BRIP1 variants and breast cancer, we could not perform subgroup analysis. However, Begg’s test demonstrated low probability of publication bias, implying that the favored inclusion of positive results does not happen.