The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism is associated with breast cancer subtype susceptibility in southwestern China.
Zhen Li, Ji Zhang, Wei Zou, Qi Xu, Siyuan Li, Jie Wu, Li Zhu, Yunjiao Zhang, Lei Xu, Ying Zhang, Qingsong Luo, Jianyun Nie, Xingxu Li, Tianning Zou, Ceshi Chen
Author Information
Zhen Li: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Ji Zhang: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Wei Zou: Queen Mary Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Qi Xu: Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, United States of America.
Siyuan Li: Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Jie Wu: Yunnan Economy & Society Bigdata Research Institute, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, Yunan, China.
Li Zhu: Yunnan Economy & Society Bigdata Research Institute, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, Yunan, China.
Yunjiao Zhang: Kunming Medical University Haiyuan College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Lei Xu: Yunnan Economy & Society Bigdata Research Institute, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, Yunan, China.
Ying Zhang: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Qingsong Luo: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Jianyun Nie: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Xingxu Li: Yunnan Economy & Society Bigdata Research Institute, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, Yunan, China.
Tianning Zou: Department of Breast Surgery, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Ceshi Chen: Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a folate-dependent enzyme, is reportedly involved in several cancer types. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism influences many biological processes, including tumorigenesis. However, the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and breast cancer (BC) subtypes is not fully understood. In this study, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was genotyped in 490 individuals with or without BC from southwestern China. Analysis of the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and BC revealed that there was a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.12-9.51, P = 0.0401). Furthermore, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism can also serve as a protective factor in luminal A breast cancer (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.94, P = 0.0258). Evaluation of the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and clinical characteristics indicated that people who suffered from hypertension had an increased risk for BC (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.08-4.6; P = 0.0264), especially TNBC (OR = 215.38; 95% CI: 2.45-84430.3; P = 0.0317). Our results suggest that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is significantly associated with susceptibility to luminal B breast cancer and TNBC.
