Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase polymorphisms with breast cancer risk and interaction with folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intakes

We assessed the association between dietary intake of folate and the MTHFR genotype with breast cancer in a Chinese population, with additional analysis of the interactions of gene polymorphisms and dietary intake of folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12. A case-control study was performed, and 535 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and 673 controls were enrolled into this study. The MTHFR 667TT genotype (odds ratio (OR)= 1.82, 95 % confidence interval (CI)= 1.24-2.97) and T allele (OR 0= 1.48, 95 % CI= 1.15-1.78) were correlated with a moderately significant increased risk of breast cancer when compared with the CC genotype. Individuals carrying the MTR 2756GG genotype (OR= 1.66, 95 % CI= 1.16-2.56) and G allele (OR= 1.42, 95 % CI= 1.26-1.81) had a higher risk of breast cancer when compared with subjects with the AA genotype. The MTHFR 667 T allele and MTR 2756 G allele were associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in individuals with low folate intake, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12, but the association disappeared among subjects with moderate and high intake of folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12. This case-control study found that the MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G polymorphisms are associated with risk of breast cancer, and folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 intakes influence these associations.