MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 23 publications.

Yu-Ming Niu,Wen Chen,Xian-Tao Zeng,Jie Luo,Mo-Hong Deng

doi:10.1155/2015/681313

Yu-Ming Niu, Wen Chen + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/681313

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Abstract

Objective. Conflicting results on the association between MTHFR polymorphism and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk were reported. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Methods. Three online databases of PubMed, Embase, and CNKI were researched on the associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Twenty-three published case-control studies involving 4,955 cases and 8,805 controls were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Sensitivity analysis, cumulative analyses, and publication bias were conducted to validate the strength of the results. Results. Overall, no significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk was found in this meta-analysis (T versus C: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.92–1.18; TT versus CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.90–1.46; CT versus CC: OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.85–1.17; CT + TT versus CC: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.87–1.18; TT versus CC + CT: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.98–1.26). In the subgroup analysis by HWE, ethnicity, study design, cancer location, and negative significant associations were detected in almost all genetic models, except for few significant risks that were found in thyroid cancer. Conclusion. This meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR C677T polymorphism may not be a risk factor for the developing of HNC.

Highlights

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide
Relevant studies were manually searched to identify from the references of original studies and review articles on the association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and HNC risk that were published from 2002 to August 10, 2014
Twenty-three related case-control studies on the relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk were included in this meta-analysis (Figure 1) [12, 20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41]

Summary

Introduction

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. It affects the upper aerodigestive epithelium of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx [1]. HNC is a multifactorial disease that may be caused by various complex factors, including human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, lifestyle, and genetic factors [4]. Smoking and alcohol consumption are the major risk factors of HNC. Genetic mutations may potentially alter the susceptibility of an individual to HNC [5]. Only a small proportion of vulnerable individuals may develop HNC. Genetic mutations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms are important for tumorigenesis and increase the risk of developing HNC and other cancers

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Results

Conclusion