IntroductionBreast cancer has a strong genetic predisposition, and its genetic architecture is not fully understood thus far. In this study, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of genetic alterations inLEPandADIPOQgenes, as well as their receptor-encoded genes with risk for breast cancer.MethodsOnly published studies conducted in humans and written in English were identified by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHIL and Embase from their inception to October 2022. Eligibility assessment and data collection were completed independently by two researchers. Statistical analyses were done using the STATA software.ResultsAfter literature search, 33 publications were eligible for inclusion. Overall,LEPgene rs7799039-G allele (odds ratio [OR]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.98) andADIPOQgene rs1501299-T allele (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.88) were associated with the significant risk of breast cancer. In subgroup analyses, differences in menopausal status, obesity, race, study design, diagnosis of breast cancer, genotyping method and sample size might account for the divergent observations of individual studies. Circulating leptin levels were comparable across genotypes ofLEPgene rs7799039, as well as that ofLEPRgene rs1137101 (P>0.05). Begg’s funnel plots seemed symmetrical, with the exception ofLEPRgene rs1137100 andADIPOQgene rs1501299.DiscussionTaken together, we found, in this meta-analysis, thatLEPgene rs7799039 andADIPOQgene rs1501299 were two promising candidate loci in predisposition to breast cancer risk.