Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in patients with small cell and non-small cell lung cancer

Two mutations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T and A1298C) may lead to a decreased activity of the enzyme. These mutations may change a risk of some cancers. We evaluated these two polymorphisms of MTHFR in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NCSCL). All lung cancer patients had statistically significantly higher percentage of MTHFR 677TT genotype in comparison with non-cancer controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of MTHFR 1298 genotypes. Neither of the polymorphisms presented any statistically significant differences between SCLC and NSCLC.