Association of MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Ovarian and Cervical Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Pathology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

3 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

5 Department of Healthcare Management, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran.

6 Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

7 Department of Social Medicine, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

8 Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have evaluated the impact of MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism on susceptibility to
ovarian and cervical cancers in women, but the conclusions are still controversial. To get a more precise evaluation of
the association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and risk of ovarian and cervical cancers, we performed
a meta-analysis of the association of all eligible studies. Methods: A comprehensive search performed in PubMed,
Google Scholar, CNKI, and Web of Science databases to identify the relevant studies up to October 15, 2018. The
strength of the association was estimated by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 27
case-control studies including eleven studies with 4990 cases 7730 controls on ovarian cancer and 16 studies with 4990
cases and 7730 controls on cervical cancer were selected. Pooled data revealed that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism
not significantly associated with an increased risk of ovarian and cervical cancers under all five genetic models.
However, stratified analysis by ethnicity showed that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was significantly associated
with risk of ovarian cancer in Asians. No publication bias was found in the current meta-analysis. Conclusions: The
results of this meta-analysis proposes that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism may not play a role in development of
ovarian and cervical cancers in overall population. Further well-designed studies are necessary to clarify the precise
role of the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism on ovarian and cervical cancers risk.

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