MTHFR C677T polymorphism interaction with heavy alcohol consumption increases head and neck carcinoma risk

Abstract

MTHFR C677T polymorphism has been indicated to be a risk factor for cancers, but its association with head and neck cancer (HNC) risk remains inconclusive. In the present study, we aimed to get a more precise estimation by performing a quantitative meta-analysis. Published papers up to Jun 2014 was searched and screened. Necessary information was rigorously extracted for data pooling and analyzing, and then, subgroup analyses on ethnicity, source of controls, sample size, tumor type, smoking and drinking status were also carried out. As a result, twenty-three case-control studies including 14298 subjects were included. The overall data failed to reveal a significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk (homozygote comparison model: OR = 1.16; 95%CI = 0.93-1.45; dominant model: OR = 1.05; 95%CI = 0.90-1.21; recessive model: OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 0.93-1.38). However, in the subgroup analysis about drinking status, increase risk was shown in the heavy drinking subgroup (TT vs CC: OR = 3.11; 95%CI = 1.52-3.02). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that Homozygous TT alleles of MTHFR C677T polymorphism might be a risk factor for HNC among individuals who have a heavy drinking history. Further studies are needed to get a more definitive conclusion.

Interaction between alcohol consumption and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms in thyroid cancer risk: National Cancer Center cohort in Korea

“…Earlier epidemiological studies have provided evidence that an interaction between alcohol consumption and C677T variation might contribute to modification of the risk for various types of cancer, such as head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers 40 – 45 . To explain the interactions of alcohol with the C677T genotype in previous studies, folate deficiency in mitochondria modified by alcohol exposure has been proposed to increase the risk of cancer 41 , 44 . This may induce an imbalance in DNA precursors leading to modified DNA synthesis and repair, which may contribute to the loss of normal control of proto-oncogene expression 40 .…”

Associations Between MTHFR Polymorphisms and the Risk of Potentially Malignant Oral Disorders

“…In the literature, findings on alcohol and betel nut consumption modifying the effect on head and neck cancer are mixed. While one found no such effect with alcohol and betel nut use (12), another found an interaction or a decreased association in heavy/ever drinkers (22), and still another found an increased association in heavy drinkers with the CT and TT genotypes (23). Interactions between the C677T SNP and these two environmental factors on PMOD risk may be complicated and not only involve folate but also other factors of the folate metabolic pathway (24).…”

Patterns of Alcohol Abstinence in Mexican Women Residing in the United States: Effects of Nativity and Duration in the United States

“…Over the past decade, increases in the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in Mexican women have been reported which are likely related to changing health behaviors (Ramos-Silva et al, 2015). One possible contributor to this breast cancer incidence could be changes in abstinence and alcohol consumption by MW (Izmirli, 2013; Norden-Krichmar, Gizer, Wilhelmsen, Schork, & Ehlers, 2014; Zhuo, Song, Li, Wu, & Zhou, 2015).…”