[A case-control study on the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1298A-->C and susceptibility of esophageal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase gene 1298A-->C (MTHFR 1298A-->C) and its susceptibility of esophageal cancer (EC).


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study with 141 cases of EC and 228 population-based controls in Huaian city of Jiangsu province, China. Epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects. MTHFR genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
(1) The frequency of MTHFR 1298AA, AC and CC genotype were 63.8%, 34.0% and 2.1% in EC and 71.9%, 28.1% and 0.0% in controls, respectively (chi(2)(MH) = 6.69, P = 0.035). The frequency of the MTHFR 1298C allele was 0.19 for EC and 0.14 for controls. (2) Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and smoking habit were at a significantly higher risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.57 - 7.71) compared with those who having AA genotype but no smoking habit. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and habit of frequent alcohol drinking were at an increased risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.20 - 7.08) compared with those with AA genotype and low consumption of alcohol. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele but no habit of tea drinking had a 3.52-fold (95% CI: 1.64 - 7.54) increased risk of developing EC compared with tea drinkers with AA genotype. As compared with subjects having AA genotype, low consumption of alcohol, no smoking habit but having habit of drinking tea, the individuals having 1298C allele, habits of frequent alcohol drinking, smoking but no habit of tea drinking had a 12.64-folds (95% CI: 1.39 - 114.65) increased risk of developing EC.


CONCLUSIONS
Results in the present study suggested that there was a coordinated effect between MTHFR 1298 genotypes and habits of smoking, alcohol drinking and tea consumption in the development of EC.
Gao
Chang-ming
CM
Department of Epidemiology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 210009, China.
Toshiro
Takezaki
T
Wu
Jian-zhong
JZ
Cao
Hai-xia
HX
Liu
Yan-ting
YT
Ding
Jian-hua
JH
Li
Su-ping
SP
Su
Ping
P
Hu
Xu
X
Kai
Hai-tao
HT
Kazuo
Tajima
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012907:Smoking
D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)