In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the results revealed significant associations between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and childhood ALL in Asian population (Additive model: OR = 2.338, 95%CI = 1.254–4.359, POR = 0.008, P = 0.903 for heterogeneity; Dominant model: OR = 2.108, 95%CI = 1.498–2.967, POR = 0.000 P = 0.821 for heterogeneity). This evidence concerns the gene XRCC1 and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.