title: A meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms have been implicated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk, but previously published studies were inconsistent and recent meta-analyses were not adequate.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a meta-analysis of 21 publications with 4,706 cases and 7,414 controls, we used more stringent inclusion method and summarized data on associations between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and childhood ALL risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found an overall association between 677T variant genotypes and reduced childhood ALL risk. Specifically, in the dominant genetic model, an association was found in a fixed-effect (TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.85-0.99) but not random-effect model, whereas such an association was observed in both homozygote genetic model (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.70-0.93 by fixed effects and OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.65-0.93 by random effects) and recessive genetic model (TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.72-0.95 by fixed effects and OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.73-0.97 by random effects). These associations were also observed in subgroups by ethnicity: for Asians in all models except for the dominant genetic model by random effect and for Caucasians in all models except for the recessive genetic model. However, the A1298C polymorphism did not appear to have an effect on childhood ALL risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the MTHFR C677T, but not A1298C, polymorphism is a potential biomarker for childhood ALL risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jingrong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: ZoAnn E
authors.initials: ZE
authors.lastname: Dreyer
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Scheurer
authors.forename: Kala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamdar
authors.forename: Qingyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: M Fatih
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Okcu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)