Lack of association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene A1298C polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility

Mol Biol Rep. 2011 Apr;38(4):2295-9. doi: 10.1007/s11033-010-0361-2. Epub 2010 Nov 5.

Abstract

Published data on the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) A1298C polymorphism and breast cancer risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and breast cancer risk. The pooled ORs were performed for co-dominant model (AC vs. AA, CC vs. AA), dominant model (CC+AC vs. AA), and recessive model (CC vs. AC+AA), respectively. A total of 26 studies including 12,244 cases and 15,873 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and breast cancer risk when all studies pooled into the meta-analysis (AC vs. AA: OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.94-1.05; CC vs. AA: OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.90-1.09; dominant model: OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.95-1.04; and recessive model: OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.90-1.08). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity or study design, still no significant associations were found for all comparison models. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may be not associated with breast cancer development. However, large sample and representative population-based studies with homogeneous breast cancer patients and well matched controls are warranted to confirm this finding.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*

Substances

  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)