title: Meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms: association with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have indicated an association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the conclusions are inconsistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases like Pubmed, EMBASE, and EBSCO (up to September 2012) were searched to retrieve case-control trials about MTHFR (C677T or A1298C) polymorphisms and HCC. Literatures were independently screened by two researchers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analyzed by software STATA 11.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine studies were included with 10 datasets and 5132 cases. C677T polymorphism was associated with HCC risk in a heterozygous model (TT vs. CT: OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.40). For the A1298C polymorphism, a significantly decreased HCC risk was found in the dominant, heterozygous and homozygous models (CC vs. AA+AC: OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.80; CC vs. AC: OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.32-0.79; CC vs. AA: OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.81). Subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity and type of control further indicated decreased HCC risks in Asians (CC vs. AA+AC: OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.26-0.84; CC vs. AC: OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.24-0.71; CC vs. AA: OR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.27-0.78), studies with controls of healthy people (CC vs. AA: OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.31-0.93; CC vs. AC: OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.31-0.94; CC vs. AA+AC: OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.94), and controls of non-HCC patients (CC vs. AC: OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.96).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homozygous carriers of MTHFR C677T mutation are more susceptible to HCC, but homozygous mutations of MTHFR A1298C may play a protective role for developing HCC.
authors: Department of Radiotherapy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Yu-Hong
authors: YH
authors: Qi
authors: State key laboratory of cancer biology and Xijing hospital of digestive diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Li-Ping
authors: LP
authors: Yao
authors: Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Guang-Bin
authors: GB
authors: Cui
authors: Department of Radiotherapy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Liang
authors: Department of Radiotherapy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Qiu-Ju
authors: QJ
authors: Shao
authors: Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
authors: Ling-Feng
authors: LF
authors: Yan
authors: Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China. Electronic address: dupangdp@hotmail.com.
authors: Pang
authors: P
authors: Du
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)