Association between MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Evidence from 22 Studies with 10,832 Cases and 11,993 Controls

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The MTHFR C677T polymorphism is a genetic alteration affecting an enzyme involved infolate metabolism, but its relationship to host susceptibility to prostate cancer remains uncertain. The aim ofthis study was to investigate the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and prostate cancer byperforming a meta-analysis. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Pubmed and Web of Science databases were searched forcase-control studies investigating the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and prostate cancer.Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used to assess any link. <br/><b>Results</b>: A total of 22independent studies were identified, including 10,832 cases and 11,993 controls. Meta-analysis showed thatthere was no obvious association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of prostate cancer underall five genetic models. There was also no obvious association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism andrisk of prostate cancer in the subgroup analyses of Caucasians. In contrast, MTHFR C677T polymorphismwas associated with increased risk for prostate cancer in Asians with the allele model (C vs G: OR=1.299, 95%CI =1.121-1.506, P=0.001, Pheterogeneity =0.120, I2=45%), additive genetic model (CC vs TT: OR =1.925, 95 %CI= 1.340-2.265, P=0.00, Pheterogeneity =0.587, I2=0.00%), recessive model (CC vs TT+TC: OR= 1.708, 95 % CI=1.233-2.367, P=0.001, Pheterogeneity =0.716, I2=0.00%), and heterozygote genetic model (CT vs TT: OR=2.193, 95% CI =1.510-3.186, P=0.000, Pheterogeneity =0.462, I2=0.00%). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: These results suggest that the MTHFRC677T polymorphism does not contribute to the risk of prostate cancer from currently available evidence inpopulations overall and Caucasians. However, the meta analysis indicates that it may play a role in prostatecancer development in Asians.