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Basic Research

MTHFR polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of case–control studies

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 15, pages 244–249 (2012)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms implicated in the cancer development, but the published studies had yielded inconsistent results.

METHODS:

Pubmed was searched for all published case–control studies about MTHFR polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk.

RESULTS:

In all, 13 studies including 5872 cases and 6255 controls described C677T genotypes, among which 9 articles, containing 2847 cases and 3657 controls described A1298C genotypes, were involved in our meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk, heterogeneity, publication bias and sensitivity were also calculated. Overall, meta-analysis indicated that the 677T allele was more likely to exert protective effect on prostate cancer risk (random-effects pooled OR, 0.78 (0.64–0.96); P=0.016 (P=0.033 for heterogeneity studies)) in a recessive genetic model, no associations were found in other genetic models or in comparing a/a versus A/A homozygous. Neither did we find any difference in effects on high or low aggressive prostate cancer. No evidence of an association of MTHFR A1298C polymorphism with prostate cancer was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

C677T of the MTHFR gene may provide protective effects on susceptibility to prostate cancer risk.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no._81001185), Universities Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (no._10KJB310011) and the Social Development Foundation of Suzhou (no_YJS0905).

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Author notes

  1. X-L Li and J-H Xu: These authors contribute equally to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    X-L Li

  2. Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    J-H Xu

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  1. X-L Li
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Correspondence to X-L Li.

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Li, XL., Xu, JH. MTHFR polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of case–control studies. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 15, 244–249 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2012.5

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Keywords

  • MTHFR
  • polymorphism
  • meta-analysis

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