Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene are associated with recurrence risk in lymph node-positive breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between recurrence risk of breast cancer and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms.


METHODS
Breast cancer patients who had undergone surgery in Gaziantep University Oncology Hospital between June 2005 and June 2012 were followed-up and retrospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all patients to assess MTHFR C677T polymorphisms. Stage according to tumor-node-metastasis system, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, grade of disease, menopausal status, and administered chemotherapy or hormonal therapy were recorded. Effects of these parameters on recurrence risk were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Association of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with recurrence risk was evaluated in 298 patients whose median age was 47 years (range: 21-79 years). In all patients, age (odds ratio [OR] =0.953, P=0.005) and N3 lymph node status (OR =6.293, P=0.001) were found to affect the recurrence risk. While MTHFR homozygote genotype did not have an effect on recurrence risk in all patients, increased risk was observed in lymph node-positive subgroup (OR =4.271; 95% CI 1.515-12.023; P=0.006). Adjusting for age, tumor size (T), and node status (N), MTHFR homozygote genotype had more statistically significant risk for recurrence (OR =3.255; 95% CI 1.047-10.125; P=0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
MTHFR TT genotype was found to be associated with increased recurrence risk in patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer.
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Ali
A
Suner
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Hakan
H
Buyukhatipoglu
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Gokmen
G
Aktas
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Tulay
T
Kus
Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Mustafa
M
Ulasli
Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Oztuzcu
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Mehmet Emin
ME
Kalender
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Alper
A
Sevinc
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Seval
S
Kul
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Celaletdin
C
Camci
MTHFR; breast cancer; methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; recurrence risk; rs9651118 polymorphism
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