title: Quantitative assessment of the association between MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism and risk of liver cancer.
abstract: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is one of the most important enzymes for folate metabolism which plays a key role in cell metabolism. MTHFR rs1801131 (A1298C) polymorphism can decrease in vitro MTHFR enzyme activity and has been hypothesized to be associated with liver cancer risk. This study aimed to quantify the strength of the association between MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism and liver cancer risk by performing a meta-analysis. We searched the PubMed and Wanfang databases for studies relating on the association between MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism and risk of liver cancer. Seven studies with 2,030 cases of liver cancer and 3,096 controls were finally included into the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of a total of seven studies showed that the homozygote genotype CC of MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk of liver cancer (for CC versus AA: odds ratio (OR) = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.89, P = 0.007; for CC versus AA + AC: OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.89, P = 0.006). Subgroup by race showed that the homozygote genotype CC of MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk of liver cancer in Asians (CC versus AA: OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.90, P = 0.010; for CC versus AA + AC: OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.88, P = 0.007). However, the association in Caucasians was still unclear owing to the limited data available now. Thus, Asian individuals with the homozygote genotype CC of MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism are significantly associated with decreased risk of liver cancer. The association in Caucasians needs further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Diseases, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, No. 219, Jing Wu Road, Huai Yin District, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250021, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tie-Jun
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-Qian
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yan-Rong
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.forename: Cheng-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017594:Publication Bias; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)