Relationship between MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms and Gastrointestinal Tumors Development: Perspective from Eastern Part of Turkey

Abstract

Background

Gastric and esophageal cancers are 2 of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide. Polymorphisms in the genes that code the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme increase the formation of both cancer types. In this study, it was aimed to research the relationship between the existence of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in patients with gastric and esophageal cancer and the lifespans of patients.

Methods and Materials

This prospective study was performed at Van Yuzuncu Yil University. Included in the study were 30 patients with esophageal tumors, 70 patients with gastric tumors, and 61 healthy volunteers. From each of the patients, 5 mL of blood was drawn. DNA was isolated via kits with spin-column technology.

Results

It was concluded that the risk of developing gastric cancer was 4.13 times higher in individuals who had the AC genotype of the A1298C polymorphism when compared to those who had the AA genotype, while the risk was 2.91 times higher in individuals who had the CC genotype when compared to those who had the AA genotype (P = 0.001, P = 0.027). Carriers of the AC genotype of the A1298C polymorphism had 2.89 times higher risk of developing esophageal cancer when compared to those who had the AA genotype (P = 0.033). It was determined that individuals who had the 1298 CC genotype were not at higher risk of developing esophageal cancer when compared to those with the AA genotype (P = 0.863). It was concluded that individuals who had the TT genotype of the C677T polymorphism were not at higher risk of developing gastric and esophageal cancers when compared to those who had the 677CC genotype (P > 0.05). There was no difference in terms of the life spans of the patients with regards to the genotypes (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results showed that the A1298C polymorphism on the MTHFR gene can be a risk factor for gastric and esophageal cancer in eastern Turkey. These polymorphisms may have no effect on the life spans of the patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, MTHFR
• polymorphism
• gastric cancer
• esophageal cancer
• lifespan

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank to Zihni Yigit Oksuz from University British Columbia for his contribution to the experimental procedure.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

E.Ö. designed the study, collected and analyzed the data, wrote the manuscript. G.G. and I.M.G. performed the experimental procedure, G.O., H.Ö, A.A., M.Ö. and M.H.D reviewed the manuscript and contributed to data collection. All authors critically revised the manuscript, approved the final version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Van Yuzuncu Yil University Scientific research projects (TSA-2018-6664). We declared that there is no conflict of interest with funding situations.