title: Meta-analysis of the relationship between the Metholenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genetic polymorphism, folate intake and esophageal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genetic polymorphism (MTHFR C677T) and folate intake on the risk of esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 17 studies (3,277 cases and 4,661 controls) regarding MTHFR C677T and 6 studies (1,817 cases and 7,678 controls) regarding folate intake published between 2001 and 2011 were identified through researching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Chinese Biomedical Database. The data of the last search was February 2011. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain summary estimated odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals of folate intake and MTHFR C677T for esophageal cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant association was seen between MTHFR 677 CT [adjusted OR (95% CI)=1.55(1.28-1.88)] and TT [crude OR (95% CI)=1.63(1.24-2.15)] genotypes and esophageal cancer. Folate intake was seen to have a preventive effect on esophageal cancer [OR (95% CI)=0.60(0.50-0.70)]. Non-drinkers with MTHFR 677 CT and TT showed light esophageal cancer risk, and higher esophageal cancer risk was found among smokers. Also, the MTHFR 677 CT and TT genotypes were associated with light esophageal cancer risk in non-drinkers and a higher risk in drinkers. The meta-regression analysis showed the effect of MTHFR 677 CT and TT increased with the level of alcohol and tobacco consumption. The MTHFR 677 TT genotype showed a decreased risk of esophageal cancer in the high folate intake group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTHFR 677CT/TT increase the risk of esophageal cancer, and the effects are greatly modified by alcohol, tobacco and folate intake. Folate intake was seen to have a preventive effect on developing esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Xia
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mei-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Wen-Fu
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Fu-Kai
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chengwen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)