The common 677C>T gene polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is not associated with breast cancer risk.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in folate metabolism and plays a role in DNA biosynthesis, methylation, and repair in actively dividing cells. A common 677C>T polymorphism in the gene for MTHFR, leading to a thermolabile enzyme with decreased activity, has been associated with reduced plasma folate levels and elevated homocysteine levels and could be a risk factor for breast cancer. In the present case-control study, MTHFR genotype was determined in 500 women with clinically verified breast cancer and 500 female age-matched healthy control subjects. The homozygous TT genotype was found in 13.0% patients and 13.1% controls (P = n.s.). The odds ratio of TT homozygotes for breast cancer was 0.99 (95% confidence interval 0.68-1.43). The MTHFR genotype was furthermore not associated with tumor size, histological grading, estrogen or progesterone receptor status and age at diagnosis. In a subgroup of 116 premenopausal patients, no increased frequency of the homozygous 677T genotype was found (13.8%). Therefore, we conclude that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism is not associated with individual susceptibility to breast cancer.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Graz, Austria. uwe.langsenlehner@klinikum-graz.at
Uwe
U
Langsenlehner
Peter
P
Krippl
Wilfried
W
Renner
Babak
B
Yazdani-Biuki
Gerald
G
Wolf
Thomas C
TC
Wascher
Bernhard
B
Paulweber
Werner
W
Weitzer
Hellmut
H
Samonigg
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003596:Cytosine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013941:Thymine / Q000378:metabolism
D003596:Cytosine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D013941:Thymine