Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and cervical cancer risk: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of folate, and the role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in cervical carcinogenesis is still controversial.


METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis of all relevant case-control studies that examined any association between the C677T polymorphism and cervical cancer risk. We estimated summary odds ratios (ORs) with their confidence intervals (CIs) to assess links.


RESULTS
Finally, 10 studies with a total of 2113 cervical cancer cases and 2804 controls were included. Results from this meta-analysis showed that significantly elevated cervical cancer risk was associated with the MTHFR T allele in the Asian population under conditions of two genetic comparison models (for TT vs. CC, OR=1.37, 95%CI 1.00-1.87, P=0.050; for TT vs. TC+CC: OR=1.34, 95%CI 1.01-1.77, P=0.039). However, there was no obvious association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cervical cancer risk in the other populations.


CONCLUSIONS
The MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with cervical cancer risk in Asians, while any possible link in the Caucasian population needs further studies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China. guolntj@yahoo.cn
Li-Na
LN
Guo
D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)