Folate pathway gene MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of lung cancer in Asian populations

Abstract

Background: Previous studies concerning the association between the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism with lung cancer in Asian populations have provided inconclusive findings. Aim: A meta-analysis was performed to investigate a more reliable association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and lung cancer in Asians. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of MTHFR polymorphisms and lung cancer in Asia, using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of any association. Results: Meta-analysis results suggested that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism contributed to an increased lung cancer risk in Asian populations (for T vs C: OR=1.11, 95%CI=1.0-1.23; for CT vs CC: OR= 1.1, 95%CI= 0.95-1.2 ; for TT+CT vs CC: OR=1.13, 95%CI=1.0-1.30; for TT vs CC: OR=1.25, 95%CI=1.01-1.30; for TT vs CT+CC: OR=1.16, 95%CI=1.0-1.36). Conclusions: MTHFR C677T polymorphism is significantly associated with lung cancer in Asians.