亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与非小细胞肺癌化疗敏感性的关系

背景与目的 亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）是叶酸代谢的关键酶，在DNA甲基化中起重要作用。体外研究已经证明一些基因的异常甲基化可以影响肿瘤细胞对细胞毒性药物和干扰DNA合成药物的敏感性。本研究旨在观察MTHFR基因C677T、A1298C多态与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者对铂类药物为基础的化疗方案敏感性的关系。方法 收集经病理学确诊的中、晚期NSCLC病例97例。用PCR—RFLP技术检测患者MTHFR基因型。所有患者均经以铂类为基础的化疗方案治疗。结果 ①97例NSCLC病例中，MTHFRC677TC／C、C／T和T／T基因型频度分别为34．0％、50．5％和15．5％，A1298CA／A、A／C和C／C基因型频度分别为64．6％、29．2％和6．2％。化疗后总有效率（完全缓解＋部分缓解）为39．2％。②分别分析MTHFRC677T多态性和A1298C多态性与化疗疗效的关系时，未发现这两个多态与NSCLC化疗的疗效有明显关系。而联合分析MTHFRC677T多态性A1298C多态基因型与化疗疗效的关系时，发现携带MTHFRC677TT等位基因（C／T或T／T基因型）、同时携带A1298CA／A基因型者的有效率为51．1％，显著高于同时携带C677TC／T基因型及A1298CC等位基因者（12．5％）（P=0．007，OR=7．30，95％CI：1．34～52．47）。结论 MTHFR基因C677T和A1298C多态联合作用可影响NSCLC对化疗的敏感性，MTHFR基因型检测对指导NSCLC的化疗、预测疗效具有较高的临床价值。     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与结直肠癌易感性的关系

目的：研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,MTHFR）基因C677T、A1298C多态性与结直肠癌易感性的关系.方法：在江苏省进行了一个病例-对照研究（结直肠癌患者315例,人群对照371例）,调查研究对象的生活习惯,抽取静脉血,提取白细胞DNA,采用PCR-RFLP检测研究对象的MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因型.结果：1）男女合计的结直肠癌组、结肠癌组和直肠癌组与对照组之间的MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因型分布频度和等位基因频度差异无统计学意义,MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因多态与结直肠癌、结肠癌和直肠癌的易感性无显著相关.2）在男性中,结肠癌组MTHFR C677T T/T基因型的频度为24.6%,明显高于对照组的14.8%,但差异无统计学意义,X2=3.42,P=0.064.与C677T C等位基因携带者相比,T/T基因型者发生结肠癌的危险性显著升高,其性别、年龄、居住地区及吸烟、饮酒和饮茶习惯调整后的OR为2.15（95%CI：1.07～4.33）.与同时携带MTHFR C677T C等位基因和A1298C A/A基因型者相比,男性的MTHFR C677T T/T和A1298C A/A基因型携带者发生结肠癌的危险性显著升高,其调整OR为2.64（95%CI：1.20～5.81）,而他们发生直肠癌的危险性则明显降低,（调整OR=0.47,95%CI：0.22～1.03）.结论：MTHFR C677T基因多态可以影响男性结、直肠癌的易感性,MTHFR A1298C多态与C677T多态在对男性结、直肠癌易感性的影响中有协同作用.     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与结直肠癌易感性的关系

目的:研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,MTHFR)基因C677T、A1298C多态性与结直肠癌易感性的关系。方法:在江苏省进行了一个病例-对照研究(结直肠癌患者315例,人群对照371例),调查研究对象的生活习惯,抽取静脉血,提取白细胞DNA,采用PCR-RFLP检测研究对象的MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因型。结果:1)男女合计的结直肠癌组、结肠癌组和直肠癌组与对照组之间的MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因型分布频度和等位基因频度差异无统计学意义,MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因多态与结直肠癌、结肠癌和直肠癌的易感性无显著相关。2)在男性中,结肠癌组MTHFR C677T T/T基因型的频度为24.6%,明显高于对照组的14.8%,但差异无统计学意义,χ2=3.42,P=0.064。与C677T C等位基因携带者相比,T/T基因型者发生结肠癌的危险性显著升高,其性别、年龄、居住地区及吸烟、饮酒和饮茶习惯调整后的OR为2.15(95%CI:1.07~4.33)。与同时携带MTHFR C677T C等位基因和A1298C A/A基因型者相比,男性的MTHFR C677T T/T和A1298C A/A基因型携带者发生结肠癌的危险性显著升高,其调整OR为2.64(95%CI:1.20~5.81),而他们发生直肠癌的危险性则明显降低,(调整OR=0.47,95%CI:0.22~1.03)。结论:MTHFR C677T基因多态可以影响男性结、直肠癌的易感性,MTHFR A1298C多态与C677T多态在对男性结、直肠癌易感性的影响中有协同作用。     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因单核苷酸多态与乳腺癌风险

目的 内研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因单核苷酸多态与女性乳腺癌风险的关系。方法 以聚合酶链反应(PCR)和限制性片段长度多态性(RFLF)分析方法,检测了217例乳腺癌患者和218例配对的正常对照者MTHFR因C677T和A1298C基因型,并比较不同基因型与乳腺癌风险的关系。结果 677TT基因型频率在乳腺癌患者和正常对照中的分布差异有显著性(32．7％比24．8％,P=0．02)。携带MTHFR 677TT基因犁者与携带MTHFR 677CC基因型者比较,前者罹患乳腺癌的风险增加1,84倍(95％ C：1．09～3．14)。MTHFR 677CT基因型以及MTHFR A1298C多态与乳腺癌风险不相关。结论 MTHFR基因677C→T突变是女性乳腺癌的遗传易感因素。     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与肝癌关系探讨

目的探讨亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,MTHFR)基因多态性与中国人群原发性肝癌危险度的关系,及与危险因素结合对危险度影响.方法以人群为基础的病例对照研究,包括204例确诊的新发原发性肝癌病例以及415例健康对照.MTHFR C677T和A1298C的基因多态性由PCR-RFLP的方法进行分析.结果MTHFRC/C,C/T,T/T基因型的频率在病例中分别为:25.8%,58.8%,15.5%,在对照中分别为34.5%,50.9%,14.6%.和C/C基因型相比,携带Any T基因型的个体患肝癌的危险度为:1.58(95%CI:1.01-2.48).MTHFR1298各基因型在健康对照中的比例分别为:69.7%(A/A),28.4%(A/C),1.8%(C/C),病例组与对照组频率分布无显著性差异.同时携带MTHFR 677Any T和1298 Any C基因型的个体肝癌危险度上升到2.05(95%CI:0.96～4.36).结合MTHFR677多态性与肝癌的三大主要危险因素(乙型肝炎、饮生水、霉变食物摄入)分析发现所有不同危险因素的暴露组中,携带MTHFR高危基因(Any T基因型)的个体患肝癌危险度均高.同时暴露于3个主要危险因素并携带高危基因型的个体,调整的肝癌危险度上升到71.69.结论MTHFR C677T的基因多态性与肝癌危险度有关,且可以与其他环境危险因素结合影响肝癌的危险度.     

肺癌患者MTHFR基因多态性与抑癌基因过甲基化的关系

目的：探讨亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与肺癌易感性及抑癌基因甲基化的关系。方法：采用病例对照研究的方法,以限制性片段长度多态性方法,检测了93例肺癌患者及106例对照的MTHFR C677T基因型;用巢式甲基化特异性PCR（nMSP）法检测肺癌患者外周血血清中p16及MGMT基因的甲基化。结果：MTHFR C677T C/C,C/T,T/T基因型分布频率在病例组中分别为：29%、49.5%、21.5%,在对照组中分别为：36%、51%、19%,频率分布差异无统计学意义。病例组中p16甲基化检出率为68%（63/93）,MGMT甲基化检出率为52%（48/93）。各基因型之间的p16与MGMT基因甲基化阳性率差异无统计学意义（ P >0.05）。结论：MTHFR基因 C677T多态性与肺癌发生之间未发现相关,MTHFR变异基因型（C/T,T/T）并非导致p16与MGMT基因甲基化的直接原因。     

急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与甲氨蝶呤不良反应关系的分析

目的：探讨急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）患儿亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）基因多态性与应用大剂量甲氨蝶呤化疗后不良反应的关系。方法收集50例ALL患儿在应用大剂量甲氨蝶呤前的外周血,进行MTHFR基因单核苷酸多态性位点基因型检测,同时观察大剂量甲氨蝶呤应用后患儿的不良反应,分析各基因型与甲氨蝶呤不良反应之间的关系。结果 CC、CT、TT基因型患儿不良反应的发生率分别为30.0%（6／20）、52.9%（9／17）、84.6%（11／13）,三组间差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,不良反应的发生风险按CC、CT、TT基因型呈递增的趋势。结论 ALL患儿MTHFR基因多态性与应用大剂量甲氨蝶呤后不良反应有关系,MTHFR基因的检测有望成为预测患儿大剂量甲氨蝶呤不良反应的指标之一。     

DNA修复基因XRCC1单核苷酸多态性与非霍奇金淋巴瘤遗传易感性的关系

 目的　探讨DNA修复基因XRCC1 R280H、XRCC1 TSS+29C／T单核苷酸多态性与非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）易感性的关系。方法　运用MassARRAY技术对73例NHL病例和540名健康对照的DNA修复基因XRCC1多态性进行检测,比较其不同基因型与淋巴瘤患病风险的关系。结果　XRCC1 R280H中G、A基因频率在对照组和病例组中分布差异有统计学意义（P＝0.001）,而XRCC1 TSS+29C／T中T、C的基因频率在两组中的分布差异无统计学意义 （P＝0.383）。进一步的分析表明,在XRCC1 R280H中,与携带GG野生纯合子基因型者比较,携带至少一个A等位基因者（GA或AA）患淋巴瘤的风险显著降低（P＜0.001,OR＝0.309,95 % CI＝0.168～0.567）。而在XRCC1 TSS+29C／T中,CC和CT与基因TT比较,携带C基因者会增加淋巴瘤的发病风险（P＝0.472,OR＝1.262,95 % CI＝0.669～2.379）。结论　DNA修复基因XRCC1 R280H的基因多态性与NHL的发生密切相关。     

MTHFR C677T基因多态对胃癌辅助化疗预后的影响

[目的]研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因（MTHFR）C677T多态对接受氟尿嘧啶（5-Fu）为基础辅助化疗胃癌患者预后的影响。[方法]确诊的胃癌患者110例，采用5-Fu为基础的方案进行辅助化疗。采用聚合酶链反应-连接酶检测反应技术检测MTHFR C677T基因多态。[结果]110例胃癌患者中，MTHFR 677 T／T、C/T和C／C基因型频率分别为19．1％（21／110）、47．3％（52，110）和33．6％（37／110）。110例患者复发率和死亡率分别为54．5％（60／110）和42．7％（47／110）。携带C／C基因型患者无复发生存率和总生存率均显著低于携带T/T或C/T基因型患者（P〈0．05）。Cox多因素分析显示，MTHFR C/C基因型是影响患者复发和生存的独立危险因素（P〈0．05）。[结论]MTHFR C677T基因多态性是接受5-Fu为基础辅助化疗胃癌患者的独立预后因素。     

MTHFR基因1298 A→C多态与新疆哈萨克族食管癌风险关系的研究

目的:探讨亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因1298A→C多态及其和生活习惯相互作用与新疆哈萨克族食管癌风险的关系。方法:收集经组织病理学确诊的哈萨克族食管鳞癌新发病例88例外周血液标本,提取DNA;72名健康哈萨克族人群作为对照,同时调查每个研究对象的吸烟、饮酒情况。用PCR-RFLP技术检测研究对象的MTHFR1298A→C基因多态性。结果:病例组MTHFR1298AA、AC和CC基因型分别为63.64%、34.09%和2.27%,与对照组的72.22%、27.78%和0相比差异无统计学意义,χ2MH=2.57,P=0.276。MTHFR1298AA、MTHFR1298AC基因型与哈萨克族食管癌的发生无显著相关性,P>0.05。病例组与对照组1298C等位基因频率分别为0.19和0.14,两组间差异无统计学意义,P>0.05。与携带MTH-FR1298AA基因型的不吸烟者相比,携带MTH-FR1298C等位基因且有吸烟习惯者的性别、年龄以及饮酒习惯调整OR值为2.353(95%CI为0.892～6.210)。与携带MTHFR1298AA基因型的不饮酒或不常饮酒者相比,携带MTHFR1298C等位基因并伴有经常饮酒的习惯者发生食管癌的危险性也显著增高,其性别、年龄以及饮酒习惯调整OR值为1.860(95%CI为0.585～5.915)。结论:叶酸摄入不足是新疆哈萨克族食管癌的危险因素;MTHFR1298AC和CC基因型对吸烟、饮酒习惯增加食管癌发生风险作用有放大效应。     

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms and acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk: a meta-analysis.

There is evidence supporting a role for 5-10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To provide a more robust estimate of the effect of MTHFR polymorphisms on the risk of ALL, we did a meta-analysis to reevaluate the association between the two most commonly studied MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) and ALL risk. All case-control studies investigating an association between the C677T or A1298C polymorphisms and risk of ALL were included. We applied both fixed-effects and random-effects models to combine odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Q-statistic was used to evaluate the homogeneity and both Egger and Begg-Mazumdar tests were used to assess publication bias. The meta-analysis of the C677T polymorphism and risk of childhood ALL included 13 studies with a total of 4,894 individuals. Under a fixed-effects model, the TT genotype failed to be associated with a statistically significant reduction of childhood ALL risk (TT versus CT + CC: OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.73-1.06; P = 0.18). However, individuals homozygous for the 677T allele exhibited a 2.2-fold decrease in risk of adult ALL (TT versus CT + CC: OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.77; P = 0.004). In both cases, no evidence of heterogeneity was observed. No association between the A1298C variant and susceptibility to both adult and childhood ALL was disclosed. Our findings support the proposal that the common genetic C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR contributes to the risk of adult ALL, but not to the childhood ALL susceptibility.     

MTHFR 677CC/1298CC genotypes are highly associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case-control study in Korea

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme involved in folate metabolism and DNA methylation. Studies on MTHFR polymorphism in leukemia have largely focused on the protective role of MTHFR polymorphism in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We evaluated the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay in various malignancies. The study population included 115 subjects with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 200 with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 196 with multiple myeloma (MM) and 434 healthy control subjects. The frequency of 1298CC was statistically significantly higher in subjects with CML than that of the controls (OR=5.12, 95% CI: 1.75-14.9, P-value=.003). Of note, the frequencies of 677CC/1298CC genotype were statistically significantly higher in subjects with CML, AML and MM than that of the controls (OR=8.8, 3.5, 3.83, P-value=.002, 0.036, 0.023, respectively). Our results demonstrate that the MTHFR 1298CC homozygote variant is strongly associated with an increased risk of CML, while MTHFR C677T does not significantly affect the risk of CML. Moreover, we demonstrated that MTHFR 677CC and 1298CC genotype might have combined effect on risk of CML, AML and MM and it is inferred that the A1298C may play a different role in carcinogenesis, depending on the types of organs involved, the types of disease entities and the genotype of C677T.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms increase risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a central role in folate metabolism that affects DNA methylation and synthesis. Because germ-line mutations at nucleotides 677 (C-->T) and 1298 (A-->C) in the MTHFR gene cause diminished enzyme activity, and aberrant DNA methylation is oncogenic, we examined the relationship between these two MTHFR polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in 240 ESCC cases and 360 age- and sex-matched controls in northern CHINA: We found that the allele frequency of MTHFR 677T was significantly higher among cases than among controls (63% versus 41%, P < 0.001). Subjects with the 677TT genotype had a more than 6-fold increased risk of developing ESCC [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 6.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.32-11.51] compared with those who had the 677CC genotype. Furthermore, the elevated ESCC risk associated with the 677 polymorphism was in an allele-dose relationship (trend test, P = 0.0001) with ORs of 1.00, 3.14 (95% CI, 1.94-5.08), and 6.18 (95% CI, 3.32-11.51) for the CC, CT, and TT genotype, respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, and the MTHFR 1298 polymorphism. The allele frequency for the MTHFR 1298C was 14% among cases and 17% among controls. The 1298CC genotype was extremely rare in both controls (1.4%) and cases (2.9%) and was also associated with an elevated risk of ESCC (adjusted OR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.23-16.02) compared with the 1298AA genotype, whereas the 1298AC genotype had no effect on the risk of ESCC. Thus, our findings support the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene may contribute to susceptibility to carcinogenesis of the esophagus in the at-risk Chinese population.     

The role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a Brazilian mixed population

The polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are associated with leukemogenesis. In order to investigate the influence of two polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, 677C>T and 1298A>C, on the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) we performed a case-control study in children from different Brazilians' regions. Genotyping of 176 ALL and 199 unselected healthy subjects was performed using PCR-RFLP assay. There was no association between the 677C>T or 1298A>C and risk of ALL in total case-control sample. However, 677T allele was linked to a decrease risk of ALL [odds ratio (OR), 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-0.86], whereas the 1298A>C polymorphism presents an elevated risk factor [OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.01-3.99] in non-White children. Our investigation provides interesting data concerning the opposite effect of A1298C polymorphisms, particularly in the light of relatively scarce data regarding the MTHFR role in leukemia susceptibility in different populations.     

Associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Chinese population

Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are considered to have some influence on both folate metabolism and cancer risk. Previous studies on the associations of MTHFR genetic polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in Chinese population reported inconsistent results. We performed this meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the associations. Finally, 12 individual case–control studies were included into the meta-analysis. There were seven studies (6,384 subjects) on the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and five studies (4,502 subjects) on the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Overall, MTHFR C677T polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to HCC in Chinese population (T versus C, odds ratio (OR)?=?1.09, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 1.01–1.17; TT versus CC, OR?=?1.17, 95 % CI 1.00–1.38; TT/CT versus CC, OR?=?1.12, 95 % CI 1.00–1.26). MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was conversely associated with HCC risk in Chinese population (CC versus AA, OR?=?0.65, 95 % CI 0.46–0.91; CC versus AA/AC, OR?=?0.64, 95 % CI 0.46–0.90). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis. Thus, the findings from our meta-analysis support the associations of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with HCC risk in Chinese population.     

No evidence of association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism with occurrence of second neoplasms after treatment of childhood leukemia

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms have been associated not only with the risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults and children, but also with increased methotrexate toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate whether MTHFR polymorphisms modify the risk for development of secondary malignancies in children treated for ALL with protocols that included high-dose methotrexate. MTHFR genotypes were determined in DNA samples isolated from archived bone marrow smears of 15 patients with a second malignancy and a matched control group of 30 patients who did not developed a second malignancy after the treatment for ALL. The frequencies of MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes in all patients were: C677T: CC 40%, CT 46.7% and TT 13.3% and A1298C: AA 46.7%, AC 44.4% and CC 8.9%. The relative risk for second malignancy was not significantly increased in ALL patients having at least one polymorphic C667T [odds ratio (OR) 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43 - 5.31] or one polymorphic A1298C allele (OR 1; 95% CI 0.29 - 3.46). Our study suggests that MTHFR polymorphisms are not associated with increased risk of second cancer in children treated with high-dose methotrexate.     

Impact of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms on methotrexate-induced toxicities in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis

The associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and methotrexate (MTX)-induced toxicities in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been evaluated in various populations, with the results remained conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis by combining available data to derive a more precise estimation of the association. PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched until 21 September 2011 to identify eligible studies. A total of 14 studies were included, with all studies investigating MTHFR C677T polymorphism while nine of them investigating MTHFR A1298C polymorphism only. Results suggested that MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with significantly increased risk of MTX-induced toxicity, specifically liver toxicity (TT/CT vs. CC: odds ratio (OR)?=?1.70, 95?% confidence interval (CI)?=?1.05?C2.75), myelosuppression (TT vs. CT/CC: OR?=?2.82, 95?%CI?=?1.25?C6.34), oral mucositis (TT/CT vs. CC: OR?=?3.68, 95?%CI?=?1.73?C7.85), gastrointestinal toxicity (TT/CT vs. CC: OR?=?2.36, 95?%CI?=?1.36?C4.11), and skin toxicity (T vs. C: OR?=?2.26, 95?%CI?=?1.07?C4.74). MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was found to be associated with decreased risk of skin toxicity (CC/AC vs. AA: OR?=?0.11, 95?%CI?=?0.01?C0.85). Genotyping of MTHFR polymorphism, C677T particularly, prior to treatment for ALL is likely to be useful with the aim of tailoring MTX therapy and thus reducing the MTX-related toxicities. However, further studies with larger data set and well-designed models are required to validate our findings.     

MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms: diet, estrogen, and risk of colon cancer.

5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in folate metabolism, diverting metabolites toward methylation reactions or nucleotide synthesis. Using data from an incident case-control study (1608 cases and 1972 controls) we investigated two polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, C677T and A1298C, and their associations with risk of colon cancer. All of the combined genotypes were evaluated separately, and the 1298AA/677CC (wild-type/wild-type) group was considered the reference group. Among both men and women, the 677TT/1298AA (variant/wild-type) genotype was associated with a small reduction in risk [men: odds ratio (OR), 0.7, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5-1.0; women: OR, 0.8, 95% CI, 0.5-1.2]. However, the 677CC/1298CC (wild-type/variant) genotype was associated with a statistically significant lower risk among women (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9) but not men. When the polymorphisms were considered individually, for A1298C a significant risk reduction associated with the homozygous variant CC genotype was seen among women only (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9), and nonstatistically significant reduced risks were observed for the variant 677 TT genotypes among both men and women. Stratification by nutrient intakes showed inverse associations with higher intakes of folate, vitamin B(2), B(6), B(12), and methionine among women with the MTHFR 677CC/1298AA genotypes, but not those with 677TT/1298AA. We observed opposite risk trends for both MTHFR variants, depending on whether women used hormone-replacement therapy or not (P for interaction = <.01). In summary, this study supports recent findings that the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may be a predictor of colon cancer risk and have functional relevance. The possible interaction with hormone-replacement therapy warrants additional investigation.     

Allele and Genotype Frequencies of the Polymorphic Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and Lung Cancer in ther Jordanian Population: a Case Control Study

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in amino acid synthesis and DNAfunction. Two common polymorphisms are reported, C677T and A1298C, that are implicated in a number ofhuman diseases, including cancer. Objective: The association between MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotype andhaplotype frequencies in risk for lung cancer (LC) was investigated in the Jordanian population. Materials andMethods: A total of 98 LC cases were studied for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, compared to 89controls taken from the general population, employing the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: The frequency of thegenotypes of MTHFR C677T among Jordanians was: CC, 59.6%, CT, 33%; and TT, 7.4% among LC cases and49.4%, 40.2% and 10.3% among controls. No significant association was detected between genetic polymorphismat this site and LC. At MTHFR A12987C, the genotype distribution was AA, 29.5%; AC, 45.3%, and CC 25.3%among LC cases and 36.8%, 50.6% and 12.6% among controls. Carriers of the CC genotype were more likelyto have LC (OR=2.5; 95%CI: 1.04-6; p=0.039) as compared to AA carriers. Smokers and males with the CCgenotype were 9.9 and 6.7 times more likely to have LC, respectively (ORsmokers=9.9; 95%CI: 1.2-84.5, p=0.018;ORmen=6.6; 95%CI: 1.7-26.2, p=0.005). Haplotype analysis of MTHFR polymorphism at the two loci showeddifferential distribution of the CC haplotype (677C-1298C) between cases and controls. The CC haplotypewas associated with an increased risk for lung cancer (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.4, p=0.037). Conclusions: Thegenetic polymorphism of MTHFR at 1298 and the CC haplotype (risk is apparently lower with the C allele atposition 677) may modulate the risk for LC development among the Jordanian population. Risk associated withthe 1298C allele is increased in smokers and in males. The results indicate that a critical gene involved in folatemetabolism plays a modifying role in lung cancer risk, at least in the Jordanian population.     

Folate metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to primary liver cancer in North China

Genetic factors may contribute to individual differences in cancer susceptibility. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C → T (MTHFR 677 C → T), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1298 A → C (MTHFR 1298A → C), thymidylate synthase (TYMS 3R → 2R), and methionine synthase 2756 A → G (MTR 2756 A → G) on the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC). We conducted a case-control study involving 356 PLC cases and 641 healthy controls in North China. Compared with the MTHFR 677CC genotype, the MTHFR 677TT genotype showed an increased risk for PLC (TT vs. CC: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.40; P = 0.043) after adjusting for gender and age, whereas the MTHFR 1298CC genotype showed a significantly decreased risk for PLC (CC vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08-0.70; P = 0.010). However, no significant association was found between the TYMS 3R → 2R or the MTR 2756 A → G polymorphism and the risk of PLC. Our results suggest that the MTHFR 677 C → T and the MTHFR 1298A → C genetic polymorphisms might play important role in hepatic carcinogenesis. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate this association.