Objective: Findings for associations between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C gene polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk have been conflicting. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship.
Methods: Ten published case-control studies were collected and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment also were performed to guarantee the statistical power.
Results: Overall, no significant association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk was found in this meta-analysis (C vs. A: OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.87- 1.25, P=0.668, P heterogeneity<0.001; CC vs. AA: OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.70-1.65, P=0.748, P heterogeneity<0.001; AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.88-1.27, P=0.565, P heterogeneity<0.001; CC+AC vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.86-1.30, P=0.571, P heterogeneity<0.001; CC vs. AA+AC: OR=1.02, 95%CI=0.69-1.52, P=0.910, P heterogeneity<0.001). Similar results were also been found in succeeding analysis of HWE and stratified analysis of ethnicity.
Conclusions: In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may not be a risk factor for developing head and neck cancer.