MTHFR C677T Polymorphism Is Associated with the Risk of Breast Cancer Among Kurdish Population from Western Iran

Background: The key enzyme of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in DNA biosynthesis and repair. Objectives: The role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in susceptibility to breast cancer is controversial. Methods: In the present case-control investigation, 297 individuals consisted of 100 patients with breast cancer and 197 healthy women were studied for MTHFR C677T genotypes, using PCR-RFLP method. Results: The frequency of MTHFR TT genotype was 10% in patients and 3% in controls (P = 0.008). The presence of TT genotype was associated with susceptibility to breast cancer [OR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.16-3.36, P = 0.012]. The T allele of MTHFR was found in 30% of the patients compared to 27.6% healthy controls (P = 0.024) that enhanced the risk of breast cancer by 1.56 times (95%CI: 1.06 - 2.3, P = 0.024). There were 71 individuals (71%) with the age of breast cancer diagnosis <= 51 years old. Comparing patients with the age of cancer diagnosis <= 50 years old with those > 51 years old group indicated a higher frequency of MTHFR TT genotype in the latter (20.7%) compared to the first group (5.6%, P = 0.05). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated an association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the risk of breast cancer among population of Western Iran. Also, our study suggests that the MTHFR TT genotype could be a risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women.