title: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms: genomic predictors of clinical response to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy?
abstract: Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may play a central role in the action of 5-FU, an inhibitor of thymidylate synthase, by converting 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether two polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene (677C>T and 1298 A>C) could be used as genomic predictors of clinical response to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (in combination with irinotecan or oxaliplatin). Ninety-four patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer and undergoing 5-FU-containing chemotherapy as a first line treatment were studied. The results suggest that the MTHFR genotype cannot be considered as an independent factor of outcome in colorectal cancer patients under 5-FU-based chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Avda. S. Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marcuello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altés
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menoyo
authors.forename: E Del
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Rio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baiget
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; D005472:Fluorouracil