Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T or A1298C and the susceptibility of colorectal cancer.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study with 315 cases of colorectal cancer and 371 population-based controls in Jiangsu province, China. The epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects. MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes were detected by the PCR-RFLP method.


RESULTS
(1) When men and women were assessed together, the frequencies of the MTHFR C677T and A1298 genotypes or their alleles were not significantly different between controls and colon cancer or rectal cancer cases. No significant relation was observed between MTHFR C677T or A1298C polymorphisms and colon or rectal cancer susceptibility. (2) Among males, individuals who had MTHFR C677T T/T genotype were at a significantly higher risk of developing colon cancer (age-, residence-, smoking-, alcohol drinking-, tea consumption-adjusted OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.07-4.33) compared with those who had C677T C allele. Individuals who had C677T T/T and A1298C A/A genotypes were at an increased risk of developing colon cancer (adjusted OR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.20-5.81) compared with those with C677T C allele and A1298C A/A genotypes among males. On the contrary, individuals who had C677T T/T and A1298C A/A genotypes were at an decreased risk of developing rectal cancer (adjusted OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.22-1.03).


CONCLUSIONS
These results in the present study suggested that polymorphisms of the MTHFR C677T could influence susceptibility to colon or rectal cancer and that there was a coordinated effect between MTHFR A1298C A/A and C677T T/T genotypes among males.
Cao
Hai-Xia
HX
Department of Epidemiology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 210009, China. bnj3113791@lonline.com
Gao
Chang-Ming
CM
Takezaki
Toshiro
T
Wu
Jian-Zhong
JZ
Ding
Jian-Hua
JH
Liu
Yan-Ting
YT
Li
Su-Ping
SP
Su
Ping
P
Cao
Jia
J
Hamajima
Nobuyuki
N
Tajima
Kazuo
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012007:Rectum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)