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Dietary intake of folate and co-factors in folate metabolism, MTHFR polymorphisms, and reduced rectal cancer

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Abstract

Little is known about the contribution of polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) and the folate metabolism pathway in rectal cancer alone. Data were from participants in a case–control study conducted in Northern California and Utah (751 cases and 979 controls). We examined independent associations and interactions of folate, B vitamins, methionine, alcohol, and MTHFR polymorphisms (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) with rectal cancer. Dietary folate intake was associated with a reduction in rectal cancer OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.92 (>475 mcg day compared to < = 322 mcg) as was a combination of nutrient intakes contributing to higher methyl donor status (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66–0.95). Risk was reduced among women with the 677 TT genotype (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30–0.9), but not men (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.70–1.76) and with the 1298 CC genotype in combined gender analysis (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46–0.98). These data are consistent with a protective effect of increasing dietary folate against rectal cancer and suggest a protective role of the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in women and 1298 CC in men and women. Folate intake, low methyl donor status, and MTHFR polymorphisms may play independent roles in the etiology of rectal cancer.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of Joan Benson, Sandra Edwards, Roger Edwards, Michael Hoffman, Thao Tran, Leslie Palmer, Donna Schaffer, and Judy Morse to data collection and analysis components of the study.

This study was funded by CA48998 to Dr. Slattery. This research also was supported by the Utah Cancer Registry, which is funded by Contract #N01-PC-67000 from the National Cancer Institute, with additional support from the State of Utah Department of Health, the Northern California Cancer Registry, and the Sacramento Tumor Registry. The contents of this manuscript are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Maureen A. Murtaugh, Karen Curtin, Carol Sweeney, Roger K. Wolff, Richard Holubkov & Martha L. Slattery

  2. Kaiser Permanente Medical Research Program, Oakland, CA, USA

    Bette J. Caan

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  1. Maureen A. Murtaugh
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  2. Karen Curtin
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  3. Carol Sweeney
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  4. Roger K. Wolff
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  7. Martha L. Slattery
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Correspondence to Maureen A. Murtaugh.

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Murtaugh, M.A., Curtin, K., Sweeney, C. et al. Dietary intake of folate and co-factors in folate metabolism, MTHFR polymorphisms, and reduced rectal cancer. Cancer Causes Control 18, 153–163 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-006-0099-2

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