No Association Between MTHFR Gene C677T/A1298C Polymorphisms, Serum Folate, Vitamin B12, Homocysteine Levels, and Prostate Cancer in an Algerian Population.

Abstract

Background Methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) enzyme plays a crucial role in the metabolism of folate and homocysteine, which are necessary for DNA methylation and nucleotide synthesis. Genetic polymorphisms that decrease MTHFR activity are implicated in several diseases as well as diverse malignancies including prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate an eventual association between MTHFR polymorphisms and prostate cancer within an Algerian population, taking into consideration serum levels of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine. Methods and results A total of 106 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and 125 healthy controls were examined for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms using PCR/RFLP and Real-Time PCR TaqMan® respectively. Serum levels of folate, total homocysteine, and vitamin B12 were measured using an automatic biochemistry analyzer.Our study showed no significant difference in genotype frequency of A1298C and C677T in patients compared to the control groups. As for serum levels of folate, total homocysteine, and vitamin B12, there were not associated with prostate cancer (P˃0. 05). However, age and family history increased susceptibility to the disease (OR=1.178, P=0.00 and OR = 10.03,P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusion Our results suggest that MTHFR C677T and A1298C as folate, total homocysteine, and vitamine B12 do not contribute to the risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, age and family history are risk factors in an Algerian population.Therefore, further studies with a larger sample size are needed for the confirmation of our finding.